Chapter 210: Narrow Escape from Death (1)

Upon seeing the people who had revealed themselves on the boat, I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Shangguan Joyoung and Shangguan Mijong shouted toward the riverbank.

"Young Master Yong! What in the world is going on here? What kind of incident led to such a massive battle?"

Shangguan Joyoung spoke in shock after seeing the countless corpses strewn across the riverbank, but Shangguan Mijong, who was listening beside him, gave his younger brother a sidelong glance for asking such a foolish question.

Aboard the boat was none other than Muhwa Lord herself.

The Shangguan Clan had deliberately arranged this rare moment to tie Shangguan Joyoung with Muhwa Lord, so her displeasure toward her brother's careless demeanor was understandable.

When I saw the two, I shouted out with joy.

"Hahaha! I came out for a pleasure ride, but who could’ve known human-like wolves would charge at me like this! So I was just beating them down like the dogs they are!"

Even in a near-death situation, my lighthearted jokes made me all the more charming.

In truth, I had always been drawn to someone like Yong Hwarin, who, with his slippery manner, remained unshaken in any situation.

They had actually been watching me from upstream as I fought.

The way I weaved through the enemies like a lone beast among a flock of sheep stirred excitement.

Then, as I recited the words of the great Confucian Mencius and continued to fight, Muhwa Lord turned to Sang Il-do, a top expert from the Imperial Palace assigned as her escort, and said,

"Charging down the path of a great man while drenched in blood? Quite the romantic notion. Escort Sang, who is that man?"

After hearing from Shangguan Joyoung that the man was none other than the Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin, Sang Il-do reported back.

"Oh-ho! So he declined my invitation just to engage in this kind of battle! I was planning to scold him severely for rejecting me, but it seems I’ll have to reconsider! A battle grand enough to forgo my invitation!"

Muhwa Lord, being a member of the Imperial Family, showed no sign of being fazed even amidst this blood-soaked battlefield.

To some extent, the veil she wore obscured her vision, keeping her from clearly seeing the flesh scattered across the riverbank.

I couldn’t miss this lifeline of an opportunity.

I immediately launched myself toward the boat.

Expending all the internal energy I had left, I unfolded the Soaring Dragon Ascent, its form rivaling that of the Kunlun Sect’s famed eighth form of Cloud-Soaring Dragon Art.

Moreover, I performed it with the Dragon Claw Five Fingers technique, gliding through the air like a dragon stepping on clouds, flying over a span of nearly thirty jang to land gracefully on the deck.

Those aboard the vessel were briefly overwhelmed by the display.

Shangguan Joyoung, having never witnessed such a magnificent movement art before, found himself both awed and envious.

‘What the hell is with this guy, getting stronger by the day?’

I gave only a brief nod of greeting to Shangguan Joyoung, Shangguan Mijong, and Shangguan Yuseol before walking straight toward Muhwa Lord, who was seated on her dragon throne.

"This humble one, Yong Hwarin, greets Muhwa Lord."

Following the etiquette of the Imperial Court, I bowed deeply. Muhwa Lord silently gazed at me with a composed expression.

"You are the Heavenly Sword Hero, Yong Hwarin?"

"Yes, my lord."

Despite being drenched in blood, strangely, she did not seem repulsed.

Watching someone tread the path of a great man while bathed in blood was not something to be abhorred by one who pursued martial arts.

"Shall I assist you?"

Aboard the boat were no less than twenty top warriors from the Imperial Palace, along with nearly thirty elite fighters from the Shangguan Clan.

If they stepped in, it would be possible to sweep away the Demonic Army and the Cheonma Demon King Unit.

"How could this humble one possibly trouble such esteemed individuals? I only came to apologize for failing to attend the invitation you graciously extended."

I had run into Shangguan Joyoung in a carriage on the way to the manor to rescue Seok Unjeong.

Back then, he had mentioned Muhwa Lord's invitation and urged me to accompany him, but I had no time to entertain such thoughts.

However, declining an invitation from the Lord was a grave offense.

"Very well, I forgive you."

"Thank you, my lord! But I must excuse myself, for there are still many wolves left to slay."

As I stepped back, I glanced at Shangguan Joyoung and spoke.

"It’s truly fortunate that we met here. Thanks to Young Master Shangguan’s help, I could catch my breath for a moment."

"Seeing that they still haven’t retreated, they must be truly vicious scum. Daring to brandish weapons even in the presence of royalty."

"Indeed. But would you like me to tell you how to win the favor of that royalty?"

I spoke in a hushed tone, barely audible, and Shangguan Joyoung leaned his ear toward me.

"How?"

Suddenly realizing he had shown me his inner thoughts, he straightened his posture.

He scolded himself for being so easily swayed by me.

But at that moment, my voice slipped into his ears through telepathy.

The moment he heard it, Shangguan Joyoung nodded.

– Muhwa Lord is a female master trained in Imperial Martial Arts. To win the favor of such a person, your face or food won’t do. You must show the gallant charm of a great man. She recited the last line about a great man earlier for that very reason. If you stand idle, Muhwa Lord will see you as a coward. But if you help me attack the enemies, won’t she see you as a chivalrous friend aiding a comrade?

Though Shangguan Joyoung was well aware that I was sweet-talking him, he couldn’t deny every word rang true.

And before he knew it, he found himself acting on those words.

"Young Master Yong is no different from my friend! A friend in distress must not be left to suffer! From this moment forth, the warriors of the Shangguan Clan shall attack those who threaten Young Master Yong!"

As Shangguan Joyoung suddenly pushed the elite of the Shangguan Clan into battle, Shangguan Mijong looked on with a puzzled expression.

However, since it was to help Young Master Yong, they didn’t stop him.

Even Shangguan Yuseol stared with puzzled eyes, thinking this wasn’t the kind of thing her elder brother would usually do.

Shangguan Joyoung drew his sword himself and led the charge as he leapt off the boat.

"What did you say to my brother to make him act like that?"

I replied with a clueless expression.

"Didn’t Young Master Shangguan say so himself? That he’s helping out of a friend’s duty. I must be truly blessed with good people around me."

As I descended from the boat with a smirk, Shangguan Mijong shook her head.

Namgung Yoo and Baek Cheonggye let out a sigh of relief as the warriors of the Shangguan Clan joined the fight.

At this point, they no longer had the strength to even stand.

Ma Jeung hesitated briefly.

But abandoning me, Yong Hwarin, would be a disgrace. He wouldn't even have the face to look at this Young Master again.

He had mobilized this many forces, and to still fail would only prove his incompetence.

"If we die, then we die here! We kill Yong Hwarin and take the Division Leader! Charge!"

Ma Jeung resolved himself to complete his mission, disregarding even Muhwa Lord.

Just as he was about to charge, screams suddenly erupted from the other side.

"Young Master Yong!"

The Demonic Master and five of the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, along with the Three Slaughter Three Heroes, were launching an attack from the rear.

Now, Ma Jeung was the one surrounded.

"We must retreat!"

With the Cheonma Demon King Unit on the verge of being wiped out, the Vice-Captain of the Ghost King Unit called out.

Ma Jeung gritted his teeth and said,

"Give the order to retreat!"

"Retreat!"

With the order given, the Cheonma Demon King Unit quickly withdrew from the frontline.

Leaving behind over a hundred corpses of their subordinates, Ma Jeung retreated and came to realize that he was no different from the Third Young Master.

And that he was now saying the exact same thing.

"See you next time!"

Though I was glad to see the Three Slaughter Three Heroes and the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect, I scolded them the moment I saw them.

"Why are you here? If all this power is gathered here, then who is guarding Sojeo Hoi?"

Jeong Suji’s lips pouted when I scolded them instead of thanking them for rushing to help.

"Hmph, if Young Master Yong dies while guarding a woman who’s as good as dead, who’s going to take responsibility? Better that woman dies than you."

"Hahaha, I never thought the second Sojeo, who always raised her voice at me, would think of me this way."

"It’s because you grew on me."

Even as Jeong Suji snapped, she smiled, relieved that I wasn’t seriously hurt.

Jeong Minji was with Namgung Yoo, tending to her injuries.

When Mu Iso brought over a clean cloth to wrap my side, he instead walked over to the Division Leader of the East Evil Division and dressed the deep sword wound on his abdomen.

"I’m fine. I’ve got a body as sturdy as a corpse!"

"It’s thanks to you, Division Leader, that we made it this far. Thank you."

Baek Cheonggye ran a hand over his bald head.

"What nonsense! If it weren’t for Young Master Yong, this old man would’ve been fish feed in the Kirin River! He’s the one you should be thanking."

"You still protected my friend to the end, didn’t you?"

As I smiled and lowered my waist, Baek Cheonggye also smiled back.

The sword wound in his abdomen was fairly deep, but in this battle, he had fought without fear.

It was all thanks to this young man.

‘So that’s why Sojeo Namgung praised him so much.’

Looking on with satisfaction, Baek Cheonggye spoke.

"In the end, the one who saved this old man was you, Young Master Yong. I’d like to repay you. Is there anything you want? A lovely bride, perhaps? Or maybe a pretty jiangshi?"

Baek Cheonggye regretted that he didn’t have a daughter.

If he had one, he would’ve done anything to forge a bond.

I felt a sense of fulfillment in personally treating Baek Cheonggye’s wounds.

This was exactly why I tended to his injury before wrapping my own.

"My sect does need jiangshi. But wouldn’t it be shameless of me to ask for one?"

I said it as if just joking, and Baek Cheonggye pondered for a moment.

Then he quietly spoke.

"Young Master Yong, the truth is, I was just about to send thirty-nine jiangshi that were ordered by the Dabie Sect. I’ll give them to you first. I’ll just tell them the order will be delayed. A man who saved my life should come first, shouldn’t he?"

My eyes lit up for a moment.

‘Well now! The Dabie Sect ordered jiangshi? Just what are they planning to do with them?’

After thinking briefly, I smiled.

"Wouldn’t that be too much of a loss for you, Division Leader?"

"You risked your life to save me. What’s a little loss compared to that? You’re a true great man!"

I found Baek Cheonggye’s boldness thoroughly to my liking.

He was someone who gave his heart to those who treated him well.

"Then, shameless as it may be, I will gratefully accept those jiangshi."

I went to Muhwa Lord and pledged that should she invite me again, I would come running no matter what, and then took my leave.

Muhwa Lord, seemingly no longer amused by the waterside outing, gave the order to withdraw.

Shangguan Joyoung, who had stirred the water for nothing, turned his head away with a bitter expression as he watched me grow distant.

Whenever he stood before me, he felt increasingly insignificant.

"Sorry for arriving late."

The Demonic Master apologized on the way back.

"It’s fine."

"On our way here, Eum Sajeok suddenly revealed the place where he had imprisoned Deungae, so we stopped there, which caused the delay."

"You arrived at the perfect time. If not, we and they would’ve fought to the death."

From his words, I realized that the Demonic Master's soul had taken root inside Eum Sajeok's mind.

Otherwise, there was no reason he would’ve divulged Deungae’s whereabouts.

"Let’s take the carriage."

As I prepared to leave using movement arts, Mu Iso interjected.

"No, aren’t only five of the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect currently at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union? If they learn that, and retaliate, it would be disastrous. We should return quickly to put our minds at ease."

I turned to Baekseom and spoke.

"Before that, the escorts of the Namgung Clan reportedly left their comrades behind. Please retrieve their bodies and bring them back to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union."

Baekseom spoke briefly with Namgung Yang, then sent his subordinates into the reed fields and sandy banks.

Namgung Yoo felt grateful to me for caring even about such details.

She had been distressed that, if left alone, those corpses would become nothing more than food for wild dogs.

She had wanted to collect their bodies but felt it would be too selfish to suggest in such circumstances, so she had remained silent.

Now that I had taken care of it first, she was simply thankful.

Leaving the Namgung Clan escorts' corpses in the care of Baekseom’s men, I headed toward the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

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