Chapter 157 : Variable

Variable

In ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍classic Confucian texts, it was often taught that all human life was precious, regardless of rank or social status.

The sons of powerful families, who had held high official posts for generations, as well as the heirs of martial clans from the provinces—not unlike local aristocrats—all grew up hearing this.

But outside the grand gates, the martial world was a heartless place.

People inevitably learned that such words were worth no more than a few lines in a book.

Petty arguments escalated into knife fights. In such a world, people's lives could never weigh the same.

Needless to say, commoners suffered the most—often treated worse than the oxen plowing their fields.

Such was the world.

For those who lived by the sword, the value of their body was naturally determined by the level of their martial skills.

Were they not the sort who placed their very lives on the edge of a blade?

When encountering someone stronger, not even a look of resentment was permitted. Such a death would only add greater shame.

Especially on the battlefield, it was as if one martial expert held the fate of hundreds of weaklings in his grip.

This is why martial sects would go to great lengths to keep masterful experts as retainers.

These experts, venerated for their martial prowess, were prized blades to be wielded.

Anyone would immediately understand, seeing dozens swept away with a single gesture from a martial master.

Just like right now.

Whoosh—

Blood sprayed into the air like the strings of a snapped lute.

Swords flashed, snipping through the life threads of their foes.

Soon after, the dense true ki compressed and, at the height of martial skill, condensed into a colorless burst of force, cleaving the air and flying straight ahead.

Bang!

The enhanced energy tore through several Blood Cult cultists, then crashed into the ground and exploded.

Those swept up by the shockwave were ripped apart, their bodies instantly shredded.

I need to refine it further, thought Jeong-un as he watched the ki wave he had unleashed.

He was steadying his martial arts and honing them in the middle of the battlefield—right inside enemy territory.

He held his ground before the east gate, slaughtering every enemy that emerged.

Their skills varied, but none could withstand Jeong-un's martial might.

Even with all this commotion right under their noses, the last High Priest had yet to appear.

Already, Jeong-un and Yong So-myeong had cut down over a hundred foes.

Meanwhile, burgeoning ripples of ki from clashing fighters approached from behind—the Heavenly Martial Hall warriors steadily advancing as they cut through the enemy ranks.

At that moment, Yong So-myeong's voice sounded, transmitted directly to Jeong-un.

—It seems the remaining High Priest doesn't intend to show himself. Or perhaps he's elsewhere—he could have gone to the other corps leaders.

—It doesn't matter either way. Just by reducing their numbers here, we're inflicting considerable damage.

The auras of the corps leaders, leaping through the sky, were nearly at the west gate now.

Most likely, they had completely breached the enemy main headquarters by now. The commotion here was meant to aid that very advance.

Yong So-myeong continued:

—Honestly... I wonder if we should have changed plans the moment the ambush failed. Since our movements were discovered, rather than pressing recklessly deeper into enemy territory, perhaps we should have joined up with the main group.

He had a point.

As the corps leaders were now facing the enemy High Priests head-on, the ambush had already failed.

It made sense to concentrate their strength in a direct confrontation.

But Jeong-un replied,

—Had we done that, the casualties might have been greater.

—What do you mean?

Jeong-un explained in turn:

—It would have been best to cut down their leader quickly as planned, but the situation isn't unfavorable as it is. With their troops drawn toward the corps leaders, there are fewer for the Heavenly Martial Hall warriors to handle, so our main group's advance has likely sped up.

—...!

—A full frontal confrontation is what they want. The chaos and confusion of melee would only favor their superior numbers. And if their High Priests had mingled among them, who knows what would have happened.

Internally, Jeong-un also acknowledged that he and Yong So-myeong were making a significant contribution—just by blocking any reinforcements at this point, they were shaping the greater battle behind them.

There might be others in small teams cutting off enemy support elsewhere, he reflected.

This was only possible because every member of their attacking force was a martial expert.

Unthinkable among ordinary soldiers, most of whom were just civilian conscripts.

"There are plenty of martial experts even in the army," he'd heard.

Even the soldiers had basic martial training, but their skills surely couldn't compare to those of the martial sects.

Perhaps only a little better than basic Three Talent Sword Technique.

Just then, Yong So-myeong's voice returned, briefly calm:

—Your insight is exceptional. I knew your skill was unmatched, but your eye for the battlefield is as sharp. I did not think that far ahead myself.

—It's nothing, really...

Kwah!

At that very moment, the sword strike unleashed by Yong So-myeong split the air, raising ripples before them.

The tail end of his ki wave was incredibly sharp—a near-perfect sword move.

He, too, clearly possessed an exceptional mastery that belied his years. His ability to control internal energy was remarkable.

In time, he might become one of the peerless experts of the martial world.

Right now, Jeong-un was just a few steps ahead.

I must push forward.

Advancement in martial arts did not correspond to time spent; sometimes, a sudden insight could propel you several steps higher.

Meanwhile, even a lifetime could yield only mediocre results—living long enough to die of old age was itself a blessing for a martial artist.

Just then—

"...?"

Jeong-un turned instinctively toward the enemy's lair.

His black sword, which had been flickering ceaselessly, stopped abruptly.

Several foes rushed in to exploit the perceived opening—only to be bisected by another sword strike.

Something is coming.

A strange ki wave was hurtling this way at tremendous speed—but in a decidedly peculiar manner.

It was approaching as if it were splitting space itself.

Even with lightness skill at full force, this was beyond ordinary.

Is it the High Priest?

Jeong-un narrowed his brow and stared at the entrance. He spread his ki sense wide, scanning closely.

Then his eyes widened.

He jerked his head back toward Yong So-myeong, sending a quick message.

—Something is coming.

—What do you mean?

Yong So-myeong's eyes widened too, continuing to wield his sword a short distance away.

—There's a ki wave approaching—one that I can't describe. It's... beyond chilling, deeply malignant.

—I don't sense anything yet. Are you sure it isn't the High Priest?

—I can't say. The nature of this ki wave is not merely sinister, but downright vicious. We'd best reposition and observe for now.

—Understood.

The reply was terse—no further questions.

Then, after cutting down the enemies before them, both of them launched off the ground.

... This feeling.

The sensation was familiar—the unique flow of a ki wave he'd encountered before.

He heightened his senses, prepared to respond instantly should the High Priest burst forth from their headquarters.

But this movement rendered all that preparation futile.

The space was torn open in an instant, and through it came a masterful body-strengthening art.

It was reminiscent of what the Monk Mu Jung had shown on Mount Song in Henan.

I have to respond.

Jeong-un turned toward Yong So-myeong, about to shout—

—but the overwhelming ki wave arrived faster.

BOOM!

The sight that followed was stunning.

He hadn't even planted a proper forcible stride.

It was just that the moment the figure landed, an explosive ki wave engulfed everything.

The air warped as if being torn, making the flow of ki visible and distinct.

It spread out in a circle, like a surging tidal wave of cultivated power.

Those Blood Cult cultists caught in the aftermath were swept away and collapsed, dead before they could even scream.

The savage ki wave had utterly pulverized their internal organs.

"...."

The settling dust brought with it a strange silence.

The roar of power and the wails of those crossing the river of death were suddenly meaningless; now, only the faintest rustle of a breeze could be heard.

The man slowly turned his head. With a sweeping gaze, he seemed to relish the corpses of his own men—killed by his unleashed power—and those slain by Jeong-un and Yong So-myeong behind them.

At last, his gaze reached Jeong-un and Yong So-myeong, several spans away.

"...."

Jeong-un calmly stared back, revolving his internal energy and introspecting on his body.

He could hear Yong So-myeong's energy shifting beside him; for someone so adept at self-control, even he was now tightly wound with tension.

Finally, the man spoke.

"So you're the one."

"...."

Jeong-un didn't answer, despite knowing full well the implications; the man must have heard of him before.

A peerless expert.

Jeong-un observed his ki pathway carefully, keeping his composure.

He had faced several peerless experts before—the unknown Ming Cult leader, the Shaolin abbot, even the hall master of the Heavenly Martial Hall, revered for his sword.

But this was different.

He had imagined the head of the sinister cult would be slim, with captivating eyes.

But not so—he was an overwhelmingly imposing fighter with a massive frame.

If not for the flowing red robe, he might have been mistaken for a military general.

The ki wave he emitted was similarly weighty—so much so that the air seemed to grow heavy with each breath.

In this instant, the man had made the surroundings his own domain.

He stood unarmed, yet with power rolling off him, making his already giant form seem ever more colossal—a veritable giant.

"... That can't be a High Priest,"

Yong So-myeong breathed, almost a groan, but still managed to speak even with such terrifying energy pressing down on them.

Yet the man's gaze remained fixed solely on Jeong-un.

It felt as if his skin was being sliced by invisible blades.

Even those skilled in cloaking themselves with energy would struggle to withstand it.

He had ascended to a level where merely exuding killing intent could slay a man.

"There's no need to waste words here."

"...?"

"Come with me."

Vmmm—

Just channeling his power made the air vibrate; the atmosphere exploded outward like a shockwave.

Before Jeong-un could fully process it, the man's figure magnified dramatically before his eyes.

Flash!

He had already reached out, swinging his left hand in a palm strike toward Yong So-myeong.

Without chance to react, Yong So-myeong was struck by the ki wave, sent hurtling backward.

A glimpse showed his eyes unfocused—was he dead? But Jeong-un had no time to worry about others' fate.

The man was now directly before him.

BOOMMMMM!

He didn't even have time to consider dodging the incoming palm strike, but met it head-on.

Powerfully surging enhanced ki enveloped his whole body-protecting enhanced ki, while he raised his sword to unleash a blast of true ki, bracing for impact.

CRRAAAACK—

It was a strange sensation—for the first time, his own true ki shattered and broke.

He had been the one to cut down countless blades and smash swords, yet now he tasted what it meant to be overwhelmed by another's swordsmanship.

But his expression remained calm.

Strength alone does not decide a battle.

His true ki surged through his fully expanded central channel, gathered in his palm, then shot out again from his sword tip.

Even as his sword blade seemed about to crack under the man's terrible force, energy filled it anew.

Vmmm!

He redirected the incoming ki wave with his blade, which sent out a tremendous howl.

CLANGCLANGCLANG—

At that instant, across a mere arm's length, the man looked astonished and spoke.

"You—what...?"

"Shut your mouth."

Jeong-un cut him off coldly.

"You stink of filth."