Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 474

474. The Abyss

Swish.

Gae Ohng, Woonhyun, and Neung Se-yeong sliced through the wind, heading towards the ancient temple.

“Krrr.”

The Blood Fiends noticed their approach and turned their heads.

However, the Blood Fiends were powerless to stop them.

Thud.

Gae Ohng seemed to step lightly, but a Blood Fiend’s head exploded.

Neung Se-yeong mirrored him with equal lethality.

Splatter.

The three soared higher, closing in on the temple.

The front yard of the ancient temple, a scene of intense battle, unfolded beneath them.

Over three hundred disciples of the Joint Union were locked in fierce combat against a thousand Blood Fiends, the sword energy of the supreme masters painting dazzling arcs in the air.

Thud.

Gae Ohng and Woonhyun landed amidst the throng of Blood Fiends.

“Kaaack.”

The surrounding Blood Fiends reacted instantly, but Neung Se-yeong’s descending sword energy cleaved through them mercilessly.

Swoosh.

Gae Ohng didn’t even spare a glance for the surrounding Blood Fiends.

Standing tall, he extended a hand towards the entrance of the massive temple.

Whoooong.

A tremendous force gathered in Gae Ohng’s hand.

And soon, a beautiful, small butterfly materialized in his palm.

Rustle.

The butterfly slowly spread its wings and took flight.

Its shimmering appearance was ethereally beautiful.

Even amidst the brutal battle, it momentarily captivated the eyes of the supreme masters.

However, those beautiful wings, now soaring into the sky, were about to unleash a devastating wave of death upon the Blood Fiends.

“Be careful!”

Old woman Neung Se-yeong shouted a warning to the Joint Union disciples.

However, her cry was drowned out by the ensuing explosion.

Kwaaaang.

A massive shockwave ripped through the front yard.

A storm-like force swept through the surroundings, followed by a thick cloud of dust.

Even the supreme masters were forced to pause their attacks due to the sheer force of the impact.

And then everyone saw it.

The area from where Gae Ohng stood to the entrance of the ancient temple was utterly devoid of life, like a newly paved road.

Nothing remained.

The Blood Fiends that had been pouring out, as well as those that had lunged at Gae Ohng, had vanished without a trace.

The Blood Fiends who had narrowly avoided a direct hit were still staggering, unable to maintain their footing from the shock.

‘Hmph.’

Iron Sword Namgung Byeok couldn’t suppress his amazement.

With a single gesture, Gae Ohng had obliterated over a hundred Blood Fiends.

‘That is… Heavenly Fragrance Butterfly.’

Namgung Byeok gritted his teeth, almost unconsciously.

He knew that the Poison Master’s ultimate skill was the Heavenly Fragrance Butterfly.

However, the power of the Heavenly Fragrance Butterfly displayed before his eyes far exceeded Namgung Byeok’s expectations.

Moreover, who wouldn’t be captivated by the shimmering beauty of that butterfly?

Tap.

Meanwhile, Gae Ohng, taking Woonhyun with him, dashed towards the ancient temple.

Neung Se-yeong followed close behind.

Whoosh.

The three figures quickly disappeared inside the ancient temple.

“Krrrk.”

The Blood Fiends began to stir again.

The fallen Blood Fiends slowly rose to their feet.

“Don’t stop your swords!”

Joint Union’s Cheonunja shouted, his voice ringing out across the battlefield.

“Slaughter the Blood Fiends!”

“Waaaaa!”

The Joint Union disciples’ shouts were filled with renewed vigor.

How could they not be, after witnessing such a display of power?

Clang, bang, swoosh.

The sounds of fierce battle once again filled the air.

The empty space was quickly swarming with rushing Blood Fiends.

However, no more Blood Fiends emerged from the entrance of the ancient temple.

Woonhyun, Gae Ohng, and Neung Se-yeong had entered the ancient temple.

Tap.

Gae Ohng stopped.

Surprisingly, the inside of the ancient temple was one vast, open space.

Thud.

Stone dust rained down from above.

Woonhyun looked up.

Light streamed in through gaps in the collapsed ceiling and walls.

Thanks to this, the surroundings weren’t completely dark.

“Krrr.”

A Blood Fiend shuffled out from a darkened corner.

Gae Ohng, without even glancing at it, flicked his finger.

“So, where do we need to go?”

Thud.

The Blood Fiend, struck by another ultimate skill, Scattering Red Twelve Leaves, had a hole blasted through its head and collapsed backward.

The intense poison within the Scattering Red Twelve Leaves burned through its head, leaving the Blood Fiend twitching on the floor.

“Krrrk.”

“Krrr.”

More Blood Fiends emerged from the shadows.

Thud, thud.

Holes appeared in the foreheads of these Blood Fiends one by one.

They met the same gruesome fate as their predecessor.

“We should head towards the strongest concentration of evil energy.”

Neung Se-yeong replied quickly.

Gae Ohng nodded and started moving.

Step, step.

Footsteps echoed in the empty space.

Outside, a fierce battle raged, but inside the ancient temple, an eerie silence prevailed.

The stream of Blood Fiends that had been pouring out had ceased after the last few stragglers.

“Strange.”

Old woman Neung Se-yeong said as she walked.

“It seems like the Blood Fiends outside aren’t the entire force, but why aren’t any more visible?”

“They must be waiting for us.”

Gae Ohng said calmly.

“Down below.”

Step.

The group halted.

In the center of the ancient temple, amidst the collapsed and broken grotesque decorations, was a gaping hole.

The hole, drilled vertically into the earth, was large enough to swallow an entire building at a glance.

Moreover, it was so deep that its bottom was shrouded in darkness.

Whoooong.

The wind howled from the hole, carrying an eerie sound.

The sound was like the wailing of something trapped in the abyss.

“I see stairs over there.”

Old woman Neung Se-yeong said, pointing towards the hole.

Narrow stairs clung to the inner wall of the chasm.

They appeared to be the stairs used by the priests of this temple, but they were narrow and riddled with collapsed sections.

However, Gae Ohng had no intention of using them.

“There’s no time to delay. Let’s go.”

Whoosh.

Gae Ohng jumped without hesitation.

He secured Woonhyun from behind with one arm.

“Huh.”

Neung Se-yeong shook her head and sighed.

She was dumbfounded that he would leap in so readily without knowing what awaited them below.

However, she soon followed him into the hole.

Regardless of what dangers lay ahead, they had to proceed.

Swish.

A fierce wind whipped past Woonhyun’s ears.

Woonhyun looked back at Gae Ohng and said.

“Elder, I can at least use Light Body Movement…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Gae Ohng said, cutting off Woonhyun’s words.

“You focus on what only you can do. I’ll clear the path.”

Woonhyun fell silent at those words.

Woonhyun quietly nodded.

Swish.

The sound of the wind roared fiercely.

The deep hole seemed endless, but Woonhyun felt no fear.

How long had they been descending?

Whir.

Suddenly, Neung Se-yeong spun her body in the air.

And Woonhyun saw the ground rushing up to meet them.

Tap.

Neung Se-yeong landed softly, as if dancing.

She immediately scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.

Meanwhile, Gae Ohng lightly tapped his toes.

Rustle.

Woonhyun raised his eyes.

A large stone door loomed before him.

The stone door, covered in ancient patterns, seemed to glare down at the three of them like the entrance to hell itself.

“This is the place.”

Neung Se-yeong said.

Woonhyun nodded.

“Yes, this is it.”

He had never been here before, and there were no markings to guide him, but Woonhyun knew it instinctively.

He could feel the intense evil energy emanating from beyond the door.

Swish.

Woonhyun placed his hand on the stone door.

Even with his light touch, the stone door began to grind open, emitting a deep rumble.

Goo-geung.

The door creaked open, and light spilled out.

Neung Se-yeong narrowed her eyes and peered inside.

‘……What is that?’

The place was a brightly lit, empty space.

In the center stood a crude altar made of stone, and nothing else.

And on that altar, a person sat cross-legged with their eyes closed.

“It’s not Hellblood Dragon.”

Gae Ohng said.

The person sitting on the altar was not Hellblood Dragon.

The black, long hair, soft facial features, and the flowing red, ornate silk clothes were clearly those of a woman.

Swish.

She opened her eyes and raised her head.

Her long hair cascaded down like waves.

“Have you come now?”

She said in a surprisingly deep voice.

She fixed Gae Ohng, Woonhyun, and Neung Se-yeong with an intense gaze.

‘Hmm.’

Gae Ohng inwardly groaned.

The sheer force emanating from her eyes told him that she was a formidable opponent.

Moreover, the woman’s red eyes marked her as a Blood Demon.

Another Blood Demon had appeared besides Hellblood Dragon.

“Hmm, only three? I thought there would be more, so Hellblood Dragon’s prediction was off. But I’m glad.”

The woman said, looking directly at Woonhyun.

“I didn’t expect someone like you to come all the way here.”

Gae Ohng frowned.

Neung Se-yeong shared his unease.

The woman continued in a calm voice.

“I am Sahaebyeoljak. The one who opens the path of the Blood Demon and leads you to hell.”

The woman, who called herself Sahaebyeoljak, smiled.

A chilling smile spread across her red lips.

“Welcome. To this hell prepared for you.”

Sahaebyeoljak said with a smile.

Her eyes, fixed on Woonhyun, were already stained with bloodlust.

***

Whiriririk.

Two small swords flew like light-clad discs.

The sword energy of the gleaming ice swords mercilessly severed the necks of the Blood Fiends.

Swoosh.

The Blood Fiend’s head flew into the air.

However, even decapitated, the Blood Fiend continued to move.

Its grotesque persistence was terrifying to behold.

Shhh.

Bingseol coldly and mercilessly continued her assault.

Only when her sword split a Blood Fiend in two did it finally cease its movements and collapse.

Thud.

Bingseol looked around.

The battle was intensifying.

The Joint Union disciples faced the Blood Fiends using the Three Extremes Formation, the Four Directions Formation, and occasionally the Five Elements Formation, while the supreme masters unleashed their sword energy, cutting down the Blood Fiends.

However, their opponents were monsters that continued to fight even with their heads severed.

Moreover, the Blood Fiends outnumbered them, resulting in a seemingly unbreakable stalemate.

Thump, thump.

The sound of drums echoed across the battlefield.

It was a signal from military strategist Moryongmi.

The formation to which Bingseol belonged had pushed significantly further into the Blood Fiends’ ranks compared to the other formations.

“Slowly retreat!”

Joint Union’s Cheonunja shouted loudly.

“There’s no need to rush. The battle situation is in our favor!”

This wasn’t just a morale booster.

The Joint Union disciples had sustained only minor injuries, while the Blood Fiends’ losses were steadily mounting.

This was largely due to the supreme masters’ devastating sword energy, but more importantly, it was because the Blood Demon who should be commanding the Blood Fiends had yet to reveal himself.

“Aaaagh!”

A Joint Union disciple screamed.

A Blood Fiend, thought to be dead, was crawling on the ground and lunging at him.

However, the Blood Fiend’s attack was thwarted.

“Haa!”

Boom.

A burst of sound erupted, and the Blood Fiend was shattered.

It was Baekbo Divine Fist, unleashed by Hyecheon of Shaolin.

Hyecheon’s Baekbo Divine Fist, imbued with the energy of subduing demons, was proving highly effective against the Blood Fiends.

Thanks to him, the Joint Union disciple escaped danger and safely retreated to his position.

Swish.

Cheonunja nodded to Hyecheon to express his gratitude.

Hyecheon lightly bowed his head in response and then threw himself towards another Blood Fiend.

The sound of the drums had ceased.

However, the fierce battle between the Blood Fiends and the Joint Union disciples continued to rage across the front yard.

“Hoo.”

After confirming that the formation had been restored, Moryongmi let out a sigh of relief.

She carefully assessed the battle situation.

‘It’s still holding so far.’

The battle was proceeding according to plan.

The real concern was Gae Ohng, Woonhyun, and Neung Se-yeong.

If they defeated the Blood Demon inside the ancient temple, the Blood Fiends would collapse swiftly.

But if they failed, they might be the ones to perish in this desolate valley.

‘No, that cannot happen.’

Moryongmi steeled her resolve.

She still had a trump card left.

However, it was a last resort.

‘Please…….’

Hoping that she wouldn’t have to use it, Moryongmi bit her lip.