Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 473

473. Death Struggle

The massive ancient temple standing in the desolate valley resembled an abandoned fortress.

The high stone walls surrounding it had crumbled, their original purpose lost.

Though long forgotten and decayed, the ancient temple still emanated a chilling aura of evil, like a dense fog.

“Yes, Alliance Leader. I will prepare for immediate departure as you command.”

Moyong Mi bowed to Unhyun.

Then, she addressed Chun Unja, the acting leader of the Common Faction.

“Please arrange the formation for departure.”

“Understood, Strategist.”

Chun Unja replied respectfully and gestured to the Common Faction disciples.

Thud, thud.

The three hundred and fifty Common Faction disciples divided into four groups with perfect discipline.

The dust kicked up by the horses swirled around them.

Meanwhile, Moyong Mi carefully observed the ancient temple and its surroundings.

“The terrain is difficult for maneuvering cavalry.”

The courtyard in front of the ancient temple was a wide plain, but not suitable for cavalry operations.

The advantages of cavalry in battle lie in their rapid mobility and the destructive power of their charge.

If they were to move slowly, it would be better to dismount.

That way, they could react more quickly in a chaotic situation.

Unhyun nodded.

“Yes. Anyway…”

Unhyun paused, startled.

As he frowned, a change occurred within the ancient temple.

Clang, clatter.

A human figure slowly emerged from the entrance of the ancient temple.

No, it didn’t seem to be walking, but rather moving with great effort.

“Krrr.”

The expressions of Unhyun and the three hundred and fifty disciples hardened instantly.

It was a Blood Fiend.

Moreover, surprisingly, the Blood Fiend was wearing armor.

Even though the armor only covered its torso, it was essentially wearing a shield.

However, it was enough to hinder the swords of the Common Faction disciples.

The power of the Subduing Demons and Exorcism [techniques to suppress evil spirits] wouldn’t penetrate the armor.

Clang, clatter.

Blood Fiends poured out endlessly from the entrance of the ancient temple.

The courtyard of the ancient temple, surrounded by crumbling walls, was quickly filled with Blood Fiends.

“Krrk, krrr.”

The Blood Fiends, making beast-like noises, suddenly raised their heads.

Their eyes glowed red, and they opened their mouths wide simultaneously.

—Kuaaaaa!

The Blood Fiends wailed in unison.

The screams of the Blood Fiends, like shrieks, echoed through the valley.

The sound, which shook the minds and bodies of those who heard it, was the wail of ghosts.

“Cover your ears!”

Moyong Mi shouted urgently.

“Gather your inner energy and resist!”

“Chant the Subduing Demons Mantra!”

Chun Unja, the Common Faction elder and acting leader, yelled.

“Do not listen to that wail! Your spirits will be invaded by evil!”

At the sound, the Common Faction disciples immediately clasped their hands and chanted the mantra.

Those who were not deeply trained covered their ears.

However, the horses could not.

Neigh.

The startled horses caused chaos everywhere.

The Common Faction disciples tried to calm the horses, but it was useless.

—Kyaaaaa!

The wail of ghosts grew louder and louder, soon turning into an ear-splitting sound.

It was then.

“Haaal![曷 – a shout used to focus inner energy]

A thunderous voice erupted.

The sound, like the clear and serene ringing of a mountain temple bell, echoed in all directions.

The excited horses and the noisy people all quieted down.

Rustle.

Thousand Hands Divine Nun, with her hands clasped together, said.

“Everyone, dismount!”

The Common Faction disciples immediately dismounted.

They calmed their excited horses.

Before they knew it, the wail of ghosts was no longer heard.

The sound that had been tearing at their ears had vanished in an instant.

“…Amazing.”

Gentleman Sword, Jegal Myeong, exclaimed in admiration.

The wail of ghosts unleashed by the Blood Fiends had shaken everyone present.

Without Moyong Mi’s warning and Thousand Hands Divine Nun’s rebuke, they would have suffered considerable damage.

It was an impressive event for Jegal Myeong, who usually disliked Buddhism and Taoism.

“We can’t delay any longer.”

At Moyong Mi’s words, Unhyun nodded.

The Blood Fiends in the courtyard of the ancient temple were still increasing.

At this rate, they would soon outnumber the Common Faction disciples.

Swish.

Unhyun looked back at his group.

And quietly said.

“Depart.”

The voice was too calm for a command to depart.

However, the elders, family heads, and supreme masters silently bowed and accepted the order.

Chun Unja, the acting leader of the Common Faction, shouted loudly.

“The time for Subduing Demons has come!”

His voice, filled with inner energy, echoed in all directions.

The sound, imbued with the power of Subduing Demons, was enough to uplift those who had been intimidated by the wail of ghosts.

Swoosh.

Drawing his Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, Chun Unja shouted.

“All Common Faction disciples, depart!”

“Uwoooooo.”

The Common Faction disciples drew their swords and shouted in unison.

It was neither a custom of the Common Faction nor something anyone had ordered.

It was a cry that burst out of them, driven by the sight of the Blood Fiends filling their vision and the excitement of the battlefield.

Thud.

Chun Unja dismounted.

“Let’s go!”

He fluttered his coat and walked forward.

Iron Sword, Namgung Byeok, and Golden Flower Young said to Unhyun.

“We’ll go ahead, Alliance Leader.”

“See you later. Be careful, Young Master Un.”

Namgung Byeok and Geum Hwa-yeong led about a hundred Common Faction disciples with Chun Unja.

The others did not stand still either.

“Be careful, Alliance Leader.”

“May fortune be with you.”

“I look forward to the Alliance Leader’s reward later.”

Flying Sword, Gongson Wol, Single Sunlight Sword, Moyong Dancheon, and Gentleman Sword, Jegal Myeong, each spoke as they passed Unhyun.

Thousand Hands Divine Nun, Taoist Tae-eul, and Taoist Cheongsong also lightly clasped their hands and stepped forward.

Hyecheon of Shaolin showed his palms together with one hand, and Bingseol nodded to Unhyun almost imperceptibly.

Step, step.

Hundreds of Common Faction disciples passed Unhyun with determined expressions, greeting him with their eyes or nodding their heads.

Unhyun did not take his eyes off them.

Moyong Mi also watched them with a firm expression.

The ancient temple, from which Blood Fiends were pouring out like an ant hell.

Toward that terrible place, the elders, family heads, supreme masters, and Common Faction disciples were advancing in three groups.

They did not rush or shout.

However, their determined eyes shone like hundreds of swords gleaming under the sunlight.

“Krrr.”

“Kuaaaa!”

The Blood Fiends screamed in their own ways.

As they approached the ancient temple, Thousand Hands Divine Nun and Hyecheon, who were at the forefront, clasped their hands in a grand gesture.

And at the same time, they shouted loudly.

“Haaaal!”

Their voices, filled with inner energy, echoed through the valley.

The effect was immediate.

“Kaaak!”

The Blood Fiends visibly flinched at their rebuke, which contained the energy of Subduing Demons and Exorcism.

Not missing the moment, Chun Unja shouted.

“Strike them all!”

“Waaaaaa!”

The three hundred disciples, elders, family heads, and supreme masters rushed toward the Blood Fiends.

A strange energy was already swirling on the swords of those at the forefront.

Moyong Mi watched the courtyard of the ancient temple, where the fierce battle had begun, with a firm expression.

The Common Faction disciples, divided into three groups, were engaged in a fierce battle with the elders, family heads, and supreme masters.

Slash.

The sword, gleaming with sword energy, cut through the necks of the Blood Fiends and split their armor.

The sword energy emitted by the supreme masters could not be stopped even by the armor of the Blood Fiends.

However, they could not push forward unilaterally.

Clang.

The sword energy was blocked by the Blood Claw, shaped like long, bloody fingernails.

Other Blood Fiends hidden in various places were blocking the supreme masters in groups of four or five.

Moreover, some of the Blood Fiends were wearing the uniforms of the Snow Shadow Unit.

The missing Snow Shadow Unit warriors had become Blood Fiends and were blocking them.

Moyong Mi bit her lip.

The Common Faction disciples who had mastered the Subduing Demons Mantra were truly struggling.

The power of the Taoists and Buddhists, who possessed the energy of Subduing Demons and Exorcism, and the supreme masters who manifested sword energy, was also great.

However, the opponents were monsters who were unharmed even if their arms were cut off, and their numbers were too great.

The number of Blood Fiends that had appeared so far was close to a thousand, so the expression ‘ant hell’ was perfectly accurate.

The only fortunate thing was that the number of Blood Fiends pouring out of the ancient temple was clearly decreasing.

Rustle.

Moyong Mi turned her head and looked at Unhyun.

Unhyun nodded.

It was time for him to step forward.

“Avoid unnecessary battles as much as possible.”

Moyong Mi said with a serious look.

“What the Alliance Leader needs to do is deal with the Blood Fiend Humans and destroy the Blood Jade. If those are gone, the Blood Cult will no longer be a concern to the world.”

The Blood Fiend Humans were the guardians and strongest force of the Blood Cult, and at the same time, they were essentially the core of the Blood Cult.

If they were dealt with and the Blood Jade was destroyed, the Blood Cult would undoubtedly suffer fatal or irreparable damage.

Moyong Mi turned her eyes to Guest Ong and Old Woman, Neung Se-yeong.

“Please take good care of the Alliance Leader, you two elders.”

Moyong Mi bowed deeply.

“Don’t worry. I will return the Alliance Leader to you in perfect condition.”

Old Woman, Neung Se-yeong, said with a smile.

Guest Ong simply nodded slightly and did not answer.

But that was enough.

Because he was Guest Ong.

“Strategist, please be especially careful as well.”

At Unhyun’s words, Moyong Mi smiled softly.

“Yes. Don’t worry about me.”

She was not alone.

The remaining fifty Common Faction disciples were shining their eyes with determination.

If Moyong Mi gave the order, they were ready to jump into the fight at any time.

“Then…”

“Let’s go.”

Guest Ong’s voice interrupted Unhyun’s words.

He wrapped one arm around Unhyun and leaped into the air.

Thud.

The two men’s bodies soared into the sky in an instant.

Unhyun quickly said.

“Ah, Elder. I also…”

“It’s okay.”

Swish.

Guest Ong said through the sound of the wind.

“Your lightness skill can wait. This is faster right now.”

Unhyun could not argue.

Guest Ong’s words were true, but Unhyun could also see Guest Ong’s intention to preserve Unhyun’s inner strength.

“Heo.”

Neung Se-yeong, who was left behind, clicked her tongue as she watched the two men.

“I was wondering if I would see the Alliance Leader’s lightness skill, but Guest Ong is quite impatient.”

She continued with a smile.

“Well, that’s his way of being considerate.”

That was something that would make anyone who heard it doubt their ears.

Who would believe that the master of life and death, Dokseon [Guest Ong’s former title], was considerate of others?

However, Moyong Mi nodded.

Dokseon of the past was one thing, but Guest Ong of the present was certainly capable of it.

Only in the case of Unhyun, though.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

“Yes, please come back safely.”

Thud.

Before Moyong Mi could finish her words, Neung Se-yeong leaped into the air.

The figures of the three men quickly disappeared into the distance.

‘…Please be careful.’

Moyong Mi prayed without realizing it.

The ancient temple they were heading to was emitting a chilling aura and looking down on the fierce battle between the Common Faction disciples and the Blood Fiends.

It was like a cruel and ruthless ancient monarch.

“Haaaa!”

Clang, clang, slash.

“Krrk!”

The desperate fight between the Common Faction disciples and the Blood Fiends continued.

It was a terrible sight with flesh fragments flying and blood splattering, but Moyong Mi did not turn away.

Because what she was carrying on her slender shoulders was the heavy duty of a military strategist.