Chapter 335 The Assault Squad

Chapter 335: The Assault Squad

Seon Woo-jin stood outside, gazing fixedly at the western sky as if turned to stone.

Without blinking once.

His expression was one of desperate longing.

He had been standing like this since yesterday.

Ever since Jin So-eun had overcome her critical situation yesterday and begun circulating the Mookrang Mind Technique on her own, he had come outside and stood in that spot, not moving an inch, waiting only for news.

No one around him could dissuade him.

They knew all too well how desperate his heart was at that moment.

Seon Woo-jin now felt as if every single moment stretched into an eternity.

And every single moment was filled with pain so intense it felt like his heart was being torn apart.

He felt as if, if hell existed, this very moment would be it.

Muk-rang, who understood his feelings better than anyone, sighed and said.

– Why don’t you take a little break? If you keep this up, you’ll exhaust all your energy and collapse before they even get a chance to contact you.

But even as he said that, Mokrang knew full well.

That he would never rest until he heard from them…

He’d only spoken to try and lighten the mood.

Then Seon Woo-jin answered in a pained voice.

‘It’s fine. If this pain is punishment for not going to save her, I can endure it for years, even decades to come.’

Mukrang let out a small sigh.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell her she’d be okay.

Honestly, he knew better than anyone that saving Tang Yeo-eun would be difficult.

Jeon Seo-eung and Jeon Seo-gu, who had to relay the message to someone else and then pass it on to her.

Even Jeong Chil-do, who raced like the wind.

No one could possibly outpace Yeokcheon Hyeolma, who had deployed the Nengong Hedo with such effortless speed.

Therefore, Mok Rang had to ponder how to console Seon Woo-jin, who would soon receive the tragic news even sooner than now.

It was then.

Flutter!

A hawk soaring in the distance caught his eye.

It was the calligraphy of the wandering scholar Son Dae-su.

“!”

Seon Woo-jin watched the hawk’s approach with trembling eyes.

Blood dripped steadily from his tightly clenched fist.

He kept muttering only one thing over and over.

“Please, please, please…”

Finally, he tore the letter from Jeon Seo-eung’s hands and read it.

His hands trembled violently as he unfolded the letter.

Those around him watched Seon Woo-jin with anxious eyes, holding their breath.

Everyone’s expression was tense beyond words.

It was at that moment.

Seon Woo-jin, who had been reading the letter, suddenly dropped to his knees.

“Ye-eun…”

Thick tears were now streaming down his face.

Startled by the sight, Seolpung asked.

“Why are you like this, brother?! Surely not Lady Dang…?”

Seon Woo-jin shook his head, sobbing.

His tear-streaked face now wore a bright smile.

“No. She’s safe, brother. Yeo-eun… Yeo-eun is safe!”

Seolpung, who had been momentarily stunned by those words, belatedly let out a cheer.

“That’s good!”

Only then did the people around them finally relax, their faces showing relief as they offered congratulations.

“What a relief! My sincere congratulations, Young Master Seonwoo!”

“Yes. It truly is a relief.”

Seon Woo-jin wept bitter tears as he thought.

He swore there had never been happier news in his life…

***

Moments later, having composed himself, Seon Woo-jin immediately gathered his people and called a meeting.

Now that he had confirmed she was safe, it was time to find a solution to the current situation.

The attendees gathered for the meeting were an impressive array.

Seolpung and the others were present, of course, along with Qing Gongjin, who had recently returned as the new leader of the Hyeongsan Sect, and Mo Dongju, the Swordmaster of Fengjiang, who had become the second-in-command.

There were also those who had just arrived.

At Seon Woo-jin’s request, Shi Xiu, the Southern Sea Holy Maiden who had been restraining the supreme masters of the southern Hyeongsan Sect, and Yong Woo-shin, the head of the Fujian Yong Clan, were present.

Seon Woo-jin greeted them politely.

“Thank you for traveling such a long distance. I’m truly sorry to tire you out again like this when you must be exhausted from your journey.”

At that, the horribly mutilated face of Siseo twisted grotesquely.

It was a face so terrifying it startled the onlookers.

But Seon Woo-jin now understood.

That was Shi Seo-woo’s smiling expression…

Knowing her true feelings, it no longer felt hideous to him.

She spoke as she looked at Seonwoojin and Seolpung.

“Both Confucius and Master Yongwoo exposed the wicked deeds of the ruling state and resolved the grievances of countless wronged people. Because of this, I, who had prided myself on my good deeds, ended up feeling ashamed. Being able to join in such noble deeds is both a joy and an honor for me. Please continue to use my hands freely.”

Then, standing beside him, Yongwoo added with a pleased expression.

I feel the same way. I couldn’t have been more ashamed of myself for thinking you were a promising swordsman back then. It’s like a cat doting on a tiger cub just because it’s small . So from now on, whatever you do, don’t forget to take me along. Thanks to you, I’ll finally get to do some proper swordsman’s work. Hahahahaha!”

Seeing Yongwooshin laugh heartily as he spoke, Seonwoojin smiled faintly.

No matter when one saw him, he was humble and unassuming—a man one couldn’t help but respect.

Seon Woo-jin couldn’t help but notice the two people standing closer together than before, and finally brought up the main topic.

“Alright, then, let us begin the meeting. In place of Grandmaster Yoo Hae-eung of the Haenam Sect, who has not yet arrived, Miss Miao A-lan here will represent the Haenam Sect.”

At Seonwoojin’s introduction, Miao A-lan bowed gracefully toward the others.

As the others bowed to her in return, Seon Woo-jin began speaking.

“First, I will explain the current situation.”

He explained to them about the Yechun Blood Demon, who had returned using the Yechun Ghost Summoning Great Technique.

As he did, the expressions on their faces grew increasingly grave.

And a moment later, when Seonwoo Jin finally finished speaking, Cheonggong Jin-in sighed and said.

“Good heavens, the Heaven-Defying Blood Demon who died a hundred years ago has reappeared? And as a master of the Four Kings level, no less. Had Young Master Seonwoo not told me this story, I would never have believed it.”

Several nodded in agreement at his words.

It was undoubtedly a story hard to believe unless witnessed firsthand.

Then, the Southern Sea Holy Maiden, Shi Xiu, spoke.

“I once saw records about her at Botam Temple. A hundred years ago, when Lord Rae-sin and Lord Geom-sin subdued the Heaven-Defying Blood Demon, it was said she had actually died once but was revived by borrowing another’s body. Just as Master Seonwoo said, through the Heaven-Defying Ghost Soul Technique. I also confirmed the story that her physical form, unable to withstand her power, collapsed and she died again. But it seems she has returned once more.”

These were the words of the Holy Maiden, one of the absolute rulers of this era, renowned alongside the Sword Saint as the peerless hero of the realm.

When she said that, no one could doubt the truth of her words anymore.

Then, Yongwooshin, the Dragon Clan Chief, let out a hollow laugh and said.

“Blood Demon Jeon Moo-kwang alone brought such immense calamity. Now, on top of that, a Rebellious Heaven Blood Demon possessing martial arts surpassing even the Four Kings? How on earth are we supposed to deal with them?”

At his words, everyone swallowed hard.

As he said, the mere thought of it was terrifying.

It was then.

Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly and said.

“There’s no need to be so pessimistic. We’re not in such a disadvantageous position yet.”

At his words, everyone now focused their attention on Seon Woo-jin.

Then he smiled brightly and continued.

“They may have the Blood Demon and the Rebellious Heaven Blood Demon, but we have the Holy Maiden here with us. Furthermore, considering that Brother Seol has effectively become the complete successor to the Four Kings through this Hyeongsanpa incident, we can say the Four Kings are also on our side.”

Those who heard his words let out a gasp.

“Ooooh!”

“The Four Kings?!”

The mere mention of his name lit up their faces completely.

Even if the Heaven-Defying Blood Demon was a master of the Four Kings level, he could not compare to a true Four King.

He was the leader of the Four Kings Alliance, a colossal power.

The Four Kings Alliance, one of the three great powers of the martial world.

Therefore, even if there were another master of that caliber, there was no way they could stand against the Four Kings, backed by the might of the Four Kings Alliance.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief at that thought, Sun Woo-jin continued speaking.

“That’s not all.”

At those words, everyone’s eyes widened as they stared at him.

Even one Four Kings was more than enough to feel secure, so I couldn’t fathom what else he was talking about.

Then Seon Woo-jin spoke with an expression that couldn’t hold back a smile.

“I heard this through the recent letter, but it seems the Sword Sage is still alive and well.”

“Hm?”

“The Sword Sage?”

At that word, the people who had been momentarily stunned all had their eyes widen so wide they seemed ready to pop out the next instant.

“Wh-what?! The Honorable Sword Saint?!”

“The, the Great Hero! Is that really true?!”

Everyone was utterly stunned.

Wasn’t it said that Sword Saint Hae Un-baek, one of the Three Greats of the World and the foremost swordsman under heaven, had not perished?

This news could not fail to move anyone from the righteous factions.

Seon Woo-jin also answered, unable to contain his joy.

“It turns out he wasn’t actually dead back then. He had been placed in a coma-like state at the suggestion of the Poison-Eyed Sword, Seo Il. So all this time, the venerable Ma Jong-hwan of the Life-Death Sect had been treating him alongside Senior Son Eun-sang of the Demon-Colored Sword. It seems he is now with both of them.”

“Ohhhhh!”

“What?! That happened?!”

Everyone was overcome with emotion.

The fact that he was alive and not dead, and that the forces opposing the Blood Sect had grown stronger, were both reasons to rejoice.

Chunggong Jin-in suddenly let out a hollow laugh and said.

“That venomous sword-wielding bastard doing something so commendable? That’s like the sun rising in the west.”

At those words, Xianwu Jin also smiled faintly, recalling the face of Xue Yi he had seen then.

At that moment, Mokrang suddenly thought to himself.

– I suspect it was thanks to your words. Didn’t he also want to become a knight-errant?

At that, Seonwoo Jin chuckled softly and denied it.

‘Surely it couldn’t be because of what I said?’

But suddenly, the thought occurred to me that it might be true.

Perhaps he wanted to become a swordsman to break the seal on the Wall-Piercing Sword he possessed.

In any case, it couldn’t be anything but fortunate.

At that moment, Mo Dong-ju spoke in an excited voice.

“Then it’s practically a done deal! With the Holy Maiden by our side and the Four Kings on our side too, plus the Sword Saint and the Demoness… It seems impossible for us to lose now!”

Everyone laughed at his words.

Though the degree varied, they all seemed to agree with him.

Then, Seon Woo-jin shook his head, shifting the mood.

“Not yet. If those bastards join forces with the Martial Alliance, they could become a formidable power. So…”

Seon Woo-jin said this while looking at Seolpung.

“You must act as quickly as possible, Brother.”

Seolpung suppressed his smile at his words and asked.

“Alright, what should I do?”

“Please contact His Majesty the Four Kings as soon as possible. Explain the situation and warn him to prevent Prince Murong Jian from defecting to the Blood Sect. And I ask that you keep them in check. Given Murong Jian’s nature of being weak towards the strong, if he knows His Majesty the Four Kings is monitoring him, he will absolutely not make a move. And if, after keeping them in check, there are any elite attack squads remaining, I ask for your assistance.”

Sun Woo-jin understood that the Martial Alliance leader, Prince Murong Jian, was a greedy and cowardly man.

He had sacrificed others for his own greed all this time, and though he knew maintaining ties with the Blood Cult would never benefit him, he couldn’t bring himself to sever those connections.

He feared that if he tried to eliminate them, he might suffer the consequences himself, and that his past misdeeds would be exposed.

In that regard, the Four Kings’ Gui Gexian was the perfect person to keep him in check.

He was the leader of the Four Kings Alliance, a power stronger than the Martial Alliance, and his martial arts prowess far surpassed Murong Jian’s.

Murong Jian would never risk clashing with the Four Kings Alliance, knowing full well he would lose if he fought them.

Therefore, if the Four Kings kept Murong Jian in check, even if they had agreed to join forces with the Blood Sect, they would undoubtedly be unable to act.

Upon grasping the meaning, Seolpung nodded solemnly.

“Understood. I’ll send a messenger to the Four Kings Alliance immediately after the meeting concludes.”

Xian Wujin smiled faintly at Xue Feng’s dependable response.

He then looked at the others and said.

“Please select forces to attack the Blood Sect as well. I will launch an assault immediately upon my return from Zhejiang Province.”

At his words, everyone’s eyes lit up and they nodded in agreement.

“Understood.”

“Leave it to me.”

Seon Woo-jin suddenly looked at them and felt a surge of warmth in his chest.

An attack on the Blood Sect.

Though he had spoken the words himself, they were undeniably profoundly moving.

The time had finally come to realize that dream he had cherished across two lifetimes.

Moreover, the quality of the assault force was excellent.

One of the Fifteen Absolute Masters, the Namhae Holy Maiden Shi Xiu, and the elite forces of the Fujian Dragon Clan pledged their support. The Hyeongsan Sect also promised to provide over a dozen supreme masters stationed in the southern region.

Moreover, since there was no need to leave full strength behind for the Xingshan Sect if they followed Xian Wuzhen, the Six Harmonies Sword Sect’s Pacheonjo was also planned to be brought along.

But that wasn’t all.

The Sword Saint and the Demoness of the Crimson Mist, the two absolute masters of the present world, were coming here.

If they arrived, it would mean three of the fifteen absolute masters would gather in one place.

It was undeniably an absurd situation to anyone who heard it.

But Seon Woo-jin had no intention of stopping here.

His eyes gleamed as he thought.

‘I’ll mobilize even more forces and overwhelm them with an avalanche of power. I won’t leave them even a single chance to win!’

This very thought was why Seon Woo-jin intended to depart for Zhejiang Province tomorrow.

He was determined to find a way into the secret cave where the sword spirit’s spirit lay, which he hadn’t been able to enter last time.

‘Acquire the Elder’s Mangagong and persuade the Sword Master.’

These were his two objectives.

Of the two, Seon Woo-jin actually held more expectations for the Blood Wolf Sword Master Ban Jung-yang than for the Sword Spirit’s Manga Gong.

The Sword Spirit’s Manga Gong was a ritual that ultimately required waiting a hundred years because the Sword Spirit failed to find a successor.

Therefore, obtaining it offered no guarantee that one could master it immediately.

But the Blood Wolf Sword Master Ban Zhongyang was different.

If they could get him to join the assault team—a master surpassing even the Four Kings’ Gwaegal-hyeon and a renowned swordsman—their win rate would undoubtedly rise to at least eighty percent, if not a hundred.

Therefore, they absolutely had to persuade him.

It was then that Seon Woo-jin made that vow, his eyes shining brightly.

Seolpung suddenly asked him.

“By the way, if the Sword Saint and Senior Son, the Demon of the Female Spirit, come here, does that mean I should come too?”

At that question, Seon Woo-jin shook his head slightly, a hint of bitterness in his expression.

“No. I asked Brother Zengchi to send her to the Sword Tomb.”

It might be selfish, but Seon Woo-jin simply couldn’t bear to see Tang Yeo-eun in danger anymore.

Therefore, instead of summoning her to this place, where the Heaven-Defying Blood Demon already knew the location, he had sent a letter instructing her to go to the Sword Tomb.

I asked them to let my friends there know what was going on.

I missed her terribly… but there was nothing I could do.

Her safety mattered more than my longing for her.