[Chapter 82]
With a thunderous crash, Myeong Cheon staggered backward, his body retreating.
Flames erupted from his hands, swiftly climbing up his wrists, elbows, and shoulders, eventually engulfing his entire body in a fiery surge.
The ground shook as he stepped, not from any martial stance or footwork technique, but as if an earthquake had been unleashed beneath him.
With a heavy sigh, Yeon Hojeong unwittingly gazed skyward, his slightly agape mouth releasing a misty breath into the cold air.
A clear, crimson light spiraled around his fair skin, enveloping him completely.
The Black Tortoise energy recoiled in surprise, retreating into the depths of his kidneys.
The encompassing red aura met with the White Tiger energy.
Despite their distinct natures, an inexplicable sense of kinship was felt. The White Tiger energy swelled momentarily, wrapping the red aura and anchoring it firmly into the heart.
The center of his blood-soaked robe burned brightly, a perfect circle of fire at its heart.
His heartbeat intensified, thumping far stronger than usual.
The strength squeezing his veins became terrifyingly powerful, as if the blood drawn once was now coursing through his body dozens of times in an instant.
It was scorching.
The rapid beating of his heart accelerated, and his body temperature rose. Despite the unbearable heat for a human body, the red light pushed Yeon Hojeong's temperature even higher.
In an instant, Yeon Hojeong's form blurred, his overheated body emitting steam upon contact with the cool air.
Myeong Cheon and the four swordsmen, along with the Red Dragon Army arrayed behind the carriage, all watched Yeon Hojeong. Yet, none could move.
A silent exclamation of urgency!
They should swing their swords now. They must kill him immediately.
Their emotions screamed for action.
But behind that murderous intent, a wave of fear crashed over them, paralyzing their movements.
Within the milky steam, the red brilliance flickered wildly.
Suddenly, the steam cleared, revealing a young man enveloped in red energy, crouched low.
The sound of his heartbeat thundered in everyone's ears.
Slowly, Yeon Hojeong raised his upper body.
A white wind rose from beneath his feet, shooting the heat that enveloped him high into the sky.
It was a whirlwind of red and white, or perhaps crimson and ivory. The western wind, filled with the warmth of the Sun God, rejoiced.
"Yes, you've arrived before the Eastern Heaven," he murmured.
The Vermilion Bird.
As the embodiment of fire and a symbol of summer, the Vermilion Bird governs the heart, enhancing vitality.
The White Tiger maximizes lung capacity, granting formidable strength, sturdy bones, and powerful regenerative abilities.
The Black Tortoise expels impurities, thoroughly protecting the body while preparing for the best outcome in the worst situations.
Yet, the energies of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise alone did not bring about the pinnacle of defensive and physical stability.
True safety lies in killing before being killed, ensuring survival on the battlefield. This is the essence of martial arts and the true meaning of the art of killing.
The White Tiger energy, harmonizing with the Vermilion Bird energy, created an explosive force. This synergy enhanced cardiac and pulmonary functions to an extreme, manifesting the divine art of celestial annihilation, burning foes like rays of light.
This is the Vermilion Bird.
Kill before being killed, and kill the slain once more. Among the martial arts of the Four Guardians, it is the fastest and most ruthless.
Yeon Hojeong opened his eyes.
Myeong Cheon suddenly felt an inexplicable thirst.
It was hot. His throat was parched. It felt as if all the moisture in his body had evaporated.
The moment the young upstart opened his eyes and glared at him, Myeong Cheon felt this sensation.
"I've been waiting," he declared.
With a mighty stomp, Yeon Hojeong, wielding his axe, took a powerful step forward.
It was the descent of the White Tiger.
"I'll end this quickly."
Myeong Cheon's face contorted once more.
Though he overwhelmed the audience with his mystical energy, Myeong Cheon's killing intent was still very much alive.
"What trickery is this!"
In a flash, Myeong Cheon's body vanished.
It was an extraordinary movement technique. Such speed was rare, even in the vast world of martial arts.
But Yeon Hojeong saw it.
Before Myeong Cheon even moved, the direction he was heading appeared as a red line to Yeon Hojeong.
And he knew which martial art Myeong Cheon would use and where he would strike.
With a resounding clash, Myeong Cheon's eyes widened in shock.
He countered the rearward strike with an equally swift slash.
The reaction speed was incredible, but even more so was the destructive force emanating from the axe.
"Argh!"
Myeong Cheon's body flew through the air and crashed to the ground.
"Ah!"
Somehow regaining his posture, he prepared for the Phoenix Soaring Sword once more.
'…?!'
Myeong Cheon's eyes bulged in disbelief.
Yeon Hojeong had vanished.
'Where?'
With a thunderous boom, Myeong Cheon coughed up blood as he was flung to the side.
Yeon Hojeong emerged from where he had been flung, delivering a punch deep into Myeong Cheon's abdomen.
"Ugh!"
Myeong Cheon vomited blood.
The fiery energy rising from his abdomen dismantled the Phoenix energy, pummeling through his organs.
It was a terrifying, penetrating force. The Phoenix energy could not stop it.
'How, how did he?'
And what of this speed? When had he managed to run this far?
Myeong Cheon gritted his teeth and unleashed the Phoenix Water.
With a crash, the ground shattered under the wasted force.
Yeon Hojeong had already disappeared from that spot. He had moved beyond the striking distance of the Phoenix Water, three meters and a foot away.
The speed was breathtaking. Within the combat zone, he seemed even faster than the Phoenix Flight.
"This is the Blood Wing Soaring Heaven."
It was not a movement technique but a footwork technique.
Specialized for annihilating foes, it pursued movement at extreme speeds using explosive power. Simple, yet incredibly fast. Among the footwork of the Four Guardians, it was the most energy-consuming.
And then, the attack.
With a roar, the battle continued.
The sound of the air tearing was sharper than expected.
Yeon Hojeong shattered the barrier of air and suddenly stood at Myeong Cheon's side.
Instinctively, Myeong Cheon swung his sword.
Zhejejejejeong!
The collision of their sword energies created real flames.
"Argh!"
Myeong Cheon staggered backward.
He had been overwhelmed by sheer force. The power behind it was generated by speed, fueled by the blazing Vermilion Bird energy within his heart.
Paaaah!!
Yeon Hojeong's figure loomed large in Myeong Cheon's eyes.
"This bastard!"
Myeong Cheon drew a cross with his sword. It was the Bi Bong Cross Blade of the Phoenix Flight Sword.
Flash! Quarleng!
The cross-shaped sword energy completely shattered the carriage he had ridden.
It was a powerful sword technique. Even though the penetrating Vermilion Bird energy had disrupted his internal energy, Myeong Cheon still wielded such martial arts. Truly fitting for the leader of the Seven Great Clans.
"Indeed strong."
Despite being consumed by madness, psychological warfare, and restricted internal energy usage…
Myeong Cheon remained formidable. Even after reducing the opponent's abilities by more than half, it was difficult to be confident in a direct confrontation.
This was the essence of the Seventh Generation Clan Leader. He was the master of the martial world.
However…
"Your martial arts, too, will be harvested by me, a Grandmaster."
Puaaaah!
He raised the blade, striking Yeon Hojeong's abdomen. Myeong Cheon coughed up blood and flew into the air.
The impact was severe. The Vermilion Bird energy had disrupted his internal energy manipulation, yet he still executed such martial arts. It was truly the pinnacle of the martial world.
"Ah!"
Regaining his posture somehow, Myeong Cheon prepared the Phoenix Soaring Sword once more.
"…?!"
Yeon Hojeong's figure enlarged rapidly in Myeong Cheon's eyes.
"I've unsealed it after all."
Hwaaah!
A surge of energy emanated from Shinmo's body.
It was completely different from the power he originally possessed. It was the manifestation of one of the Five Great Martial Arts, the Dragon Wings of the Dragon and Tiger Arts.
Shinmo shouted.
"Chang Eungdae, protect the Grandmaster!"
"Understood!"
"Jongmyeong!"
"Chang Eungdae, send a letter to the leader immediately! Declare the Myeong Clan as enemies of the martial world!"
Myeong Cheon's face turned pale.
Eight knots, the After-Opening Knot. It was the symbol of an open door. From the mouth of a human like him came the words "Martial World Enemies," not to mention the Pursuit Order.
The startled Seven Swords and Red Dragon Army finally regained their senses.
"What, what's going on? Kill him right away!"
"Kill him!"
The Seven Swords charged toward Yeon Hojeong. The Red Dragon Army, who had been standing by in the rear, also drew their swords.
It was a desperate moment.
"Stop!"
Kwaaang!
A lightning-like sword energy controlled the front of the Seven Swords.
Yeon Hojeong raised his head.
"Grandmaster, are you okay?!"
Yeon Hojeong smiled weakly.