Chapter 476

It was a rare sight to see three masters from the Realm of Transformation working together to carve through the stone wall.

Well, I could excuse Jun Gi-chung with his Dao and Pobidon with his sword.

“Wait, you’re really going to dig this with your hands?”

“‘It’s impossible’ means it’s possible, you brat from the Central Plain.”

A-mook-hap-rab, the Strange Monk, couldn’t help but stick his fingers into the stone wall. Naturally, his young fingers easily sunk into the rock.

But the depth of his dig barely reached the length of his finger. It was utterly useless unless he aimed to engrave some words on the wall.

“Why don’t you step back? Don’t just take up space. That old man over there is also keeping his distance.”

That ‘old man,’ Cheon Yu-hak, shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t using long weapons, so he figured he wouldn’t be much help in digging the stone door, and stepped back.

Then A-mook-hap-rab shouted!

“The oppressors of the Central Plains always act this way! Stealing opportunities from our distinguished heritage of the Plateau!”

And just like that, the atmosphere shifted towards barbarian discrimination.

“Wait, who brought up the barbarians? I mean, you’re saying you’ll dig the stone door with martial arts, so—”

“We are not barbarians! Don’t compare us to the truly uncivilized ones like the Southern Maniacs, Northern Seas, Dong-i, Japanese Invaders, or Westerners! We, the Westlanders, are the most spiritually superior race!”

“……?”

Thank goodness there weren’t any masters from the Southern Maniacs, Northern Seas, Dong-i, or Japanese Invaders present, or we might have witnessed an explosive outburst over their pride.

So, as they were busy digging through the stone wall, one person was stuck to it like glue.

Cheon and his group chose to watch from a distance while everyone’s attention was focused on the stone door.

Now would be the perfect time to flee.

But they couldn’t. Because.

Cheon Yu-hak suddenly asked with a worried tone, “Are we really not going to break through?”

“Oh dear. Have I overestimated the Central Plain’s Mechanical System? Have I been too far ahead of my time…?”

Just as Cheon’s whispered concern ended, bang!

Suddenly, a heavy explosion echoed from within the mountain.

The three masters from the Realm of Transformation froze in their movements and rolled their anxious eyes.

Crack, crack.

With ominous sounds, cracks like lightning bolts spread in every direction across the cliff surrounding the stone door.

Cheon looked at Cheon Yu-hak.

Cheon Yu-hak looked back at Cheon.

‘Let’s bounce.’ ‘Let’s bounce!’

The master and disciple communicated with their eyes.

Next, their group exchanged glances, “One, two, three. Let’s go!”

Without warning, Cheon and his team turned and bolted away.

“Ah, those bastards! That Dayeoreum is escaping!”

Someone shrieked, pointing at Cheon’s fast-disappearing group.

All eyes turned in their direction.

It was certainly a bad moment, with cracks forming in the cliff right at that instant.

In such a critical time, focusing attention elsewhere made it all the more dangerous, just as it is for anyone who has suffered.

Boom! Crash!

In the brightening morning, thick dust engulfed the world.

—-

As the dust was swept away by the wind, only the pile of stones that used to be the stone door remained awkwardly.

Martial artists covered in stone dust looked at the scene, faces grey and stunned.

What in the world just happened…?

Then suddenly, a clamor echoed from the middle of the stone pile.

A hand shot up from it.

“Seong-jon!”

That snapped the dazed martial artists from Jeolnak-seong into action, rushing towards the mound of stones.

At this signal, the Ronin and others who were with them exchanged glances, then abruptly scattered in every direction, like startled birds.

If the stone door has collapsed, we must go to another entrance!

The remaining martial artists consisted of Gang Pae-cheon and some from Jeolnak-seong, plus a few Ronins like Pobidon whom they knew or wanted to move with.

“Seong-jon!”

The exceptionally agile martial artist from Jeolnak-seong, Jo Sang-chun, grabbed the hand that had shot up and pulled with all his might.

With the sound of clashing stones, a body was pulled up from the mound.

Naturally, Jo Sang-chun ended up tumbling back along with it.

Even amidst this chaos, Jo Sang-chun checked on the person above him.

However, it wasn’t Seong-jon; it was the scrawny Lama Monk from the Western region.

Ah, that’s why his hand felt bony.

Hot eyes met at mere inches apart.

Then A-mook-hap-rab, blushing, turned his head away and awkwardly expressed his thanks.

“T-thank you, thank you very much.”

“Eek.”

Why’s your face turning red!

Jo Sang-chun, feeling awkward, shoved the Strange Monk away.

At that moment, their eyes caught the figure of the Master of Jeolnak-seong, who had emerged alone.

The sunlight grew stronger, illuminating the disheveled highest master of Jeolnak-seong!

He looked like a complete beggar!

Covered in stone dust from head to toe, his hair all messy and clothes grimy.

The only thing clean was the whites of his eyes that sparkled with icy hatred.

“I’ll kill them…”

“Excuse me?”

“Argh! Dayeoreum! Catch her at once! No, I’m going to catch her! That damn girl! I’ll kill her! What are you all doing, lounging around! Let’s go after that girl!”

With that, he leaped up and bolted off, finally snapping his disciples back to their senses, who quickly followed behind.

Left behind, the Strange Monk merely blinked in confusion before suddenly deciding to pursue the disappearing Jeolnak-seong martial artists.

“Seong-jon? What about us…”

“We should go too. It’s better to head towards the entrance with more troublemakers.”

Behind Jeolnak-seong, the North would surely be in chaos.

Considering they were outnumbered, Gang Pae-cheon needed to seize this opportunity while the confusion was high.

And so, only a few Ronin remained, eyeing each other before some headed north and others went south.

Leaving the space empty.

Pobidon’s voice rang out.

“Is anyone there? My little brother? Jo Ah-yo? Get me out! I’m stuck!”

—-

The North Gate of Geobong finally revealed itself.

A technician from the Blood Sect, with rotten teeth exposed, grinned foolishly as he fiddled with the intricately carved observation window.

“Yeah, fight. Go ahead and fight. Heh heh.”

Suddenly, a childhood memory flashed through the technician’s mind.

His mother, eyes glazed over, dead.

His elder brother, growing cold in his arms.

The Sapa brats who were laughing and sharing coins with the neighbors who were groveling around.

The patrol officers of the local magistrate, who used to beat the underclass, flickered in and out of his mind.

The massive double door of the so-called Zhengpai that took three days and nights to open, still stuck shut.

The world had always been harsh and unjust for the technician.

So, let them fight. Let them kill each other.

Like beasts from hell, let them tear each other apart.

If the world had been a living hell for me, then you all must suffer the same pain.

The Blood Sect Technician was delighted.

For the past twenty years, he had burrowed into this mountain, and that grueling labor had never once felt hard for him.

The pathways I’ve made will become the coffins for those worthless humans, the traps I’ve set will draw their blood.

So today is the catalyst that has allowed the Blood Sect Technician to endure this unremarkable life till now.

So let them fight.

Like ravenous demons, killing each other, and then those who grasp victory will spill blood once more in the tomb carved into the cliff because of their own greed.

I’ve lived all this time just to see that sight.

Veins stood out in the technician’s eyes.

His bloodshot gaze awaited the impending slaughter at the North Gate through a narrow opening.

A tense atmosphere hung before the gigantic stone door.

With the three massive Sapa factions—Hyeongasan, Suwangseong, and Gwangryongseong—at the forefront, various other Sapa groups gathered together.

Also, there were the Ronin and others.

The hiking trail to the peak of Geobong lay to the north.

Thus, the numbers congregating at the North Gate, including Ronins and others, were not insignificant against the Sapa.

So they drew their weapons and pointed them at each other in readiness.

The one standing before the Sapa, Gwangryongseong’s Seong-jon, growled fiercely.

“Must you truly see blood?”

“Even if we open the stone door, we all know you won’t let us through anyway. Are you asking for a supreme martial artist as a sacrifice? I’d rather settle things with you here.”

“How dare you! You challenge the Sado Ten Great Stars?”

“Hmph. What will you do if we do? You have land in Sichuan and Shaanxi, but over half of the Central Plain is still ours, right?”

The Sapa couldn’t be so bold as to invade the territory of Zhengpai, after all.

The Sapa’s eyes darkened, visibly angered by the jab.

However, unfazed, the mocking voice came from Jongjeongpil, a renowned martial artist known throughout the land as the Outlaw with a mighty sword.

“Ha! You think your measly little group of misfits can threaten us!”

“Measly? And you call a bunch of worthless folks this? You must talk big for being outnumbered!”

“You idiot. You’re missing the point. A solitary one isn’t alone. If you just stand there alone, you’re nothing but trash! Can your group of vagabonds stick together? Will any of them stand by you when a few get killed?”

“Hah! The Sapa discussing loyalty now! The world truly is upside down!”

“Hah! So you’d prefer to live in treachery and drink mud instead of good wine, huh? The gates—”

Just as Gwangryongseong’s Seong-jon was about to give the command to attack,

“Wait!!!”

A loud, booming voice interrupted, halting the attack command.

Everyone turned their heads sharply.

A group of martial artists came charging in from a distance.

“Stop the violence! I will open the door! I am Dayeoreum, the one who opens all doors in this world!”

Dayeoreum? Anyone heard of her?

Curious looks spread among the martial artists who were divided left and right.

But how could they know?

In the midst of it all, amongst the charging martial artists, a particularly tall figure accelerated, springing forth.

The expressions of those with discerning eyes turned tense.

Because the speed was incredible!

It was a heavenly-grade technique rivaling the best!

“Wait, stop—”

“Get out of the way!”

It was already a chaotic standoff between the Sapa and the Ronins and so on.

Through the space between them, a single streak of light surged forth.

Cheon witnessed a flash of treasure seekers darting through the gaps.

Of course, they weren’t being pushed away; Cheon was simply breaking through!

With every step that hit the ground, it felt like an explosion was about to take place.

Soon, Cheon’s shoulder pulled back.

Clenching his fist tightly.

As Cheon scooted to the side, Namgoong Shin-jae slipped by just in time, and the two fists launched forward in parallel.

Cheon’s fists hit the two sword hilts that were sunk into the stone door.

Boom!!

A resounding crash echoed again.

Cheon stood stock-still, arms outstretched.

It was as if time had frozen.

Both fists sunk into the stone door up to the wrists.

The crowd swallowed their breath.

Everyone fell silent, the only sound was the faint echo of Cheon’s breaths.

Crack, crack…!

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