Chapter 360

The lieutenant flapped through the sky like a bird.

Was it an incredible coincidence or some destined connection from the heavens? The lieutenant, who surprisingly succeeded in flying against the odds, crashed down in front of the general.

“Ugh!”

“Hmm. Are you okay?”

The general caught the lieutenant.

The lieutenant gasped for breath.

“Gasp, yes. I’m fine. Huh? Why am I fine?”

“You sound like you’re not fine. Just because it looks chaotic doesn’t mean you were really hurt; you were pushed, so you must be alright.”

Even though it was noisy, he had only been shoved rather than kicked, using the bounce of his knees. The bloody mess was two spaces wide, but the number of curses could only be doubled on the spot, and he survived by showing mercy with his foot. Why, he didn’t know. But he could tell he was let off easy.

“Looks like you brought the flag too.”

“Ugh. You should’ve just taken it nicely.”

No matter how roughly he was shoved, after crashing to the ground from such a height, his body was sore all over.

“If you come into my line of sight, it’ll be time for me to unleash hell. Well, if you’re carrying an injured person, you might feel rushed.”

“Then it’s pointless to unleash hell…”

Meanwhile, Qing landed with a thud, and as he resumed running, he held a pole like it was a trophy.

What was it that was flapping around? He caught it, but what the hell?

Since he was already strapped across his chest, his hands weren’t particularly bound as he climbed the slope.

Seeing the unfamiliar patterned flag, Qing thought, “Is this military insignia? Shouldn’t holding this mean I won’t get attacked?”

He tucked the flagpole into the back of his neck, feeling the cool breeze hit his sweaty back as it finally relieved his overheated body.

And right at the edge of the hill.

Would it be alright once he got over this?

Without slowing down, he drove the cart over the ridge.

His view expanded, and the cart soared into the air like it was leaping off a speed bump.

Bam! The cart landed on the roadway.

It rushed down the steep incline.

The direction that had been aimed at the sky suddenly took a nosedive through the underground, rolling down the slope.

“Waaah! We’re falling, we’re falling!”

Passengers onboard this future thrill ride from five hundred years ago screamed as they experienced the drops.

One guy couldn’t take the fear anymore and jumped off, rolling to the ground, which shows that the consciousness level of people from the Central Plain is quite primitive when it comes to enjoying future amusement parks.

The Northern Army, preparing for withdrawal from their military camp at the foot of the hill, saw the rickshaw barreling down the slope at crazy speed.

Only, behind the rickshaw, the flagpole stood tall.

That flag, flapping wide like it might rip apart, bore the famous insignia of the Dae-sun Army, symbol of the Dae-sun General.

It was said that no Northern Army unit had ever operated without the aid of the Dae-sun, so everyone respectfully made way.

Of course, that respect only went so far.

If it got hit, bones and flesh would surely separate, so they hastily moved aside.

Qing bolted through the opening.

Once past the downhill slope, he sped between the military tents to a moment when he slipped through a gap in the barriers.

Then he entered an unpopulated mountain path.

He had escaped from the soldiers.

Only then did Qing slowly begin to decrease his speed so the cart wouldn’t be pulled too quickly.

—-

Leading the way was a man in a helmet, flanked by the Golden Guards in fine silks marching in formation on either side of the road.

Each of them wore a helmet adorned with a bird’s head, long necks stretched forward.

To Qing, this absurd rustic “birdhead helmet” would be a terrifying sight, but it was actually the most coveted item among all military officials in the Central Plain.

Only those of high rank among the military could wear it.

The most treasured birdhead was, surprisingly, that of a rooster.

In the Central Plain, a rooster’s head symbolized good fortune, bringing forth wealth, bravery, and luck in that order of importance.

Thus, the helmet was something only officials of considerable power could dream of wearing—like the kind that might only be donned by an imperial official when the Emperor led his army personally.

And so, the helmet became the most glorious item a mere individual could wear.

Though Qing might feel embarrassed at the sheer ugliness of it all, he didn’t need to be aware.

It was shocking just looking at them.

And that very moment, he did look.

All those birdheads stretched out their necks to stare at him.

What’s this? Is this the fashion level of the Central Plain?

They’re wandering around with such shabby helmets and not feeling embarrassed at all?

The Golden Guards, who had been clearing the way, were distracted by the raucous rickshaw flying down the road, and the helmeted heads were compelled to look towards it as well.

The guards were just as bewildered.

What is that? A rickshaw? A rickshaw in free fall?

The southern mountains of the Namnyeong Mountain Range slope downward, leading into the path.

A rickshaw raced down with unstoppable speed.

The man in the helmet felt stumped.

He had just commanded that all the “bandit” scum who dared to burn the heavens and plunder the common people should be executed without exception.

And yet here was a “bandit” pulling a rickshaw confidently down the center of the road, even waving that flag.

Seeing the Dae-sun flag made the man in the helmet grit his teeth.

Isn’t that a flag I hate to see?

Then a thought suddenly hit him.

Is he trying to escape alone, dressing up to look innocent?

I left him behind to die, and he dares to pull tricks like this?

Hatred flared vividly in the man’s eyes.

The general might feel wronged.

For just a couple of defiant words, the simmering rage was almost to the point of unending enmity.

But that’s just how humanity is.

For humans to hate one another, no words are really needed.

Without any reason at all, they just feel it, and when that person does well, it’s like a parent’s enemy has appeared.

To say that Qing’s hometown is much more advanced than this, the man in the helmet might actually be quite innocent.

At least he has a reason for his anger, unlike them villainous future citizens who would drop a curse over the slightest meaningless quirk they found bothersome.

Regardless, the man in the helmet barred the way, grounding his power and shouting out.

“Stop!”

Qing spun around.

The one with the ugliest helmet tells him to stop; his expression screamed that he wouldn’t let him go without a fight.

Three counts of curses flared.

With bird-headed guards on both sides, their steps and forms were different, indicating they’ve properly mastered their martial arts.

They were three counts as well.

So what?

They were gonna have to all die, but first, he needed to get free.

“No!”

“What!?”

“If you don’t want to die, get out of the way! Birdhead!”

Qing drew out the Moonlight Sword (Special Large Edition) ahead.

Just like the Western knights’ grand charge!

“You!”

The man in the helm growled and crossed his arms, ready to block the grand charge with his body like some lunatic fought his imaginary windmill.

But the man in the helmet had confidence, as a blazing energy flared and his arms turned bright red.

At that moment, Qing gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, pulling it back behind his shoulder.

Qing’s eyes sparkled with the sight of swirling ghost flames, and the golden-red energy drew a crescent arc.

Pretending to thrust at his waist, he slashed sideways.

The man in the helmet’s eyes went wide, and as he lowered his arms—

Bang!

The clash of energy and energy delivered a thundering sound.

The man in the helmet, caught by the tremendous force, was sent flying, crashing down.

Qing sighed, blowing out a gust of wind.

Normally, a clean cut from a sword wouldn’t yield a strong shock, but if it’s blocked, a part of the energy returns.

Scholars of humanity’s upper echelon, who use overly complex terminology, might call it reaction force, but it was a concept far too complicated for the common man to grasp.

Because the man in the helmet flew off, it wasn’t a full reaction, but it was sufficient to inspire a burst of pain in his side.

Damn it, why didn’t I slice him?!

If he had taken a hit, he could’ve just laughed it off, thinking it was worth the time.

“Official!”

One guard flew out and caught the man in the helmet.

Even so, the man, still with strength, was pushed back and examined his vadge-hot arm, confirming the deep gash that was bleeding profusely.

Other people’s blood might not seem like much, but his own blood was worth a million.

The man in the helmet’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“How dare you! Kill them! Those bastards!”

The guards slammed their feet down in unison.

They leaped towards the rickshaw at full force.

Qing’s speed through the air was unmatched; none could hope to catch up.

But he wasn’t pulling the cart full of people, so that didn’t quite apply here.

The leading guard jumped up high, casting a shadow over the rickshaw.

At that moment, a spear infused with true energy shot through the air and slammed into the guard’s abdomen.

The guard, hit mid-air, fell derelict, rolling head over heels, tangling with a comrade as they both crashed down.

“There’s a master in the rickshaw!”

“Stop it! Aim for the wheels, the wheels!”

“What are you doing? Move! Protect the wheels!”

Yeon Pa shouted nervously.

To this, the nameless soldiers swung their bandit weapons, threatening the approaching guards.

But how long could mere foot soldiers stand up to the martial arts-trained guards?

Even if one side was held back by Yeon Pa, what about the other?

Qing found himself in a bind.

With freedom inside, if the cart moves, they’re done for.

Being downhill, he didn’t even have to pull it; it would roll by itself. But first, he had to get the harness off.

He desperately grasped the harness over his chest.

Yet, the heavy cart pulled tight on it, constricting his arms painfully as they dug into his flesh.

Qing grunted and pushed with all his might, but atop the huge peak, his shoulder blades were stuck, making him immovable.

In that moment of desperation,

“You!”

The man in the helmet, who had followed him closely, displayed his flashing footwork and stood alongside Qing, extending his left arm to unleash a blazing energy attack.

Qing, forced to react, also thrust out his sword in response.

In that fraction of a second, the man’s eyes lit up, and he seized Qing’s sword, gripping it firmly.

Oh, you little brat? You’re holding it?

Qing’s eyes narrowed.

Flames of ghostly energy flared up in his gaze.

Screech! Steel screeched against steel as sparks flew from the man’s hand.

His grip burned, making him flinch and release the sword.

In that moment, the Moonlight Sword drew a furious arc, hitting the man on the shoulder with a thud!

Damn, this kid’s tough.

Even while running wild, he didn’t put his full force into the swing.

Even so, to hear a thud instead of a slashing sound was unexpected.

The Rotary of majestic strength managed to trip him; the motion sent the man’s body swaying, hitting his own feet and tumbling down.

But he was still titled a master, so he bounced right back up and rushed forward while shouting.

“Wheel of Law! Curse you, demon!”

“Who are you calling a demon? You’re the one using demonic arts!”

Qing fired back.

The energy around him flared like flames, turning his hands red.

If his true energy could be grasped, it indeed felt like it belonged to an expert of demonic arts.

“Not demonic arts! It’s the Phoenix Flame Divination!”

“Is that another bastardized concept? I’m not using the Wheel of Law; I’m the Time Hero! Who’s using demonic arts?”

The man’s forehead bulged with veins.

Claiming it’s a bastardized concept like that! Just how irreverent!

And what in the world is “Time Hero”?

What does a god have to do with fear?

Yeon Pa was also fuming, veins popping on her forehead.

That crafty woman barely gave the secret manual just to hear such nonsense!

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