Chapter 172. Just Leave the Stronghold. Isn’t It Easy?
After finishing his meal, Yeon Jeokha called the innkeeper and asked him to find someone who could guide him to the Five Peaks Mountain.
It was around 3 PM when Yeon Jeokha, accompanied by a villager named Deokjin, left the Muhak Inn.
Deokjin was in a good mood, humming as he walked. After all, he would be paid a silver coin just for guiding Yeon Jeokha to the Five Peaks Mountain, a distance of merely half an hour.
Grateful for his good fortune, Deokjin attempted to start a conversation with Yeon Jeokha.
"Sir, what brings you to the Five Peaks Mountain?"
"I need to settle a score with someone."
Deokjin was momentarily silent at the unexpected response. The Five Peaks Mountain was known to be the domain of the fearsome Daebyeol Stronghold.
'Is he really going to confront the people at Daebyeol Stronghold?'
Daebyeol Stronghold was so feared that even the government had given up on trying to eradicate it. Deokjin had agreed to guide him only to where the Five Peaks Mountain could be seen, as the name of the stronghold instilled absolute terror.
After a while of walking in silence, Deokjin spoke again.
"If you’re going to Daebyeol Stronghold, I advise you to reconsider."
"Why?"
Deokjin looked at Yeon Jeokha in disbelief. Did he really not know?
"It's a place even the government doesn’t dare to attack. Recently, they’ve become even more ferocious. It’s better to avoid the Five Peaks Mountain area."
"I’m going to expel the ones responsible for that ferocity."
"Ah... yes..."
Deokjin responded indifferently and closed his mouth, thinking that Yeon Jeokha must be bluffing.
'He seems normal, but he likes to exaggerate.'
He didn’t care why Yeon Jeokha was heading to the Five Peaks Mountain; he just wanted his money. Even if Yeon Jeokha ended up dead, it wouldn’t be his problem.
Deokjin quickened his pace, wanting to finish the task quickly. After about half an hour, the Five Peaks Mountain appeared in the distance.
Deokjin stopped at a place where the Five Peaks Mountain could be clearly seen.
"Sir, that’s the Five Peaks Mountain. I can’t accompany you any further."
Yeon Jeokha nodded with a smile.
"Thanks for your help."
"Yes, yes. Take care. I’m leaving now. Even if you have business at the Five Peaks Mountain, I suggest you avoid it."
"I have things to do there."
"Ah, well, goodbye."
Deokjin quickly walked away without looking back, fearing that Yeon Jeokha might change his mind and ask him to go further.
Yeon Jeokha was left alone, staring at the Five Peaks Mountain with mixed feelings.
"Hello, Five Peaks Mountain. So, here you are."
He wondered why he had wandered for days when the path was so simple. He decided to memorize the surrounding terrain for the return trip and began walking towards the mountain.
Although Old Shim was worried, Yeon Jeokha wasn’t afraid of the Demon Warriors. He thought that other experts, like the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord and the Great Swordmaster, were more terrifying.
Even the Demon Warriors and monsters were annoying to face, but they didn’t inspire true fear in him.
Perhaps it was the confidence he felt from having the True Classic of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship as his answer.
Lost in his thoughts, Yeon Jeokha advanced up the mountain.
'At this point, the bandits should appear and say something.'
But no bandits appeared. He decided to continue until he found the stronghold.
Five Peaks Mountain, Daebyeol Stronghold.
The Demon of Shadow, Yeon Pagang, hurriedly crossed the courtyard of the stronghold.
Lee Moojin, who had been dozing off in front of the pavilion, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Boss! He’s coming up the stronghold!"
"Yeon Jeokha is coming?"
Lee Moojin's gaze filled with fury. After waiting three days and nights, it was understandable.
The Demon Warriors gathered around Lee Moojin, having heard Yeon Pagang. Despite their numerical advantage, their faces showed concern.
Those who had faced Yeon Jeokha before, like Yang Soran, Blood Sword, and Jade Buddha, were particularly tense.
Fear is contagious, and the anxiety of the three spread to Lee Moojin and the others.
Sensing that something was wrong, Lee Moojin spoke.
"Aren’t we overreacting? He’s alone."
Yang Soran gave a bitter smile. She should have said something encouraging, but she couldn’t find the words. Just thinking about facing Yeon Jeokha made her blood run cold.
Clicking his tongue, Lee Moojin walked forward, determined not to appear cowardly. As he advanced, a young man entered through the main gate of the stronghold as if it were his own home.
At first, Lee Moojin thought he was one of his men, as the young man seemed so carefree.
"Who are you?"
"I’m Yeon Jeokha. And who are you?"
Lee Moojin cursed.
"So you’re Yeon Jeokha? I’m Lee Moojin, the Boss of this stronghold. What have you been doing these past three days?"
"Hey, I’m glad you’re welcoming me, but did we have an appointment? Why the fuss?"
As they argued, the other Demon Warriors surrounded Yeon Jeokha. He looked around and muttered.
"Wow! You move like worms. Does everyone want to die today?"
Lee Moojin sneered.
"Young man, you’ve got guts. I’ll give you that. But today, you’ll leave your bones here."
"Let’s see whose bones will remain. Do you know why I’m here?"
"Yes, I know you’re here on orders from the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord to harass the leaders of the sects allied with the Yoomyung Cult."
"Well informed. You don’t have to die. You just need to leave the stronghold. How about it? Isn’t that easy?"
"There’s an easier way. Do you want to hear it?"
"What is it?"
"Die here and now."
With those words, Lee Moojin drew his sword. The six Demon Warriors also drew their weapons.
Yeon Jeokha shrugged, resigned. He had tried to resolve it peacefully, but it seemed that wouldn’t be possible.
The seven Demon Warriors and Yeon Jeokha began to move. The Demon Warriors, each with skills equivalent to the leaders of the seven great sects, attacked in an impressive display of power.
Sparks flew as weapons clashed and occasionally exploded with the force of the collision between sword energy and palms.
When Lee Moojin’s sword was repelled, Yang Soran and the Blood Sword immediately attacked.
Musanggwi and Muyounggwi also moved in coordination.
The Demon Warriors seemed like a family, helping each other. The collective threat of their skills slowly pushed Yeon Jeokha onto the defensive.
'Hah!'
Yeon Jeokha suppressed a groan. He felt the burning on both shoulders, indicating he had been slightly cut.
Although each Demon Warrior individually wasn’t particularly formidable, together they represented a great threat.
But despite that, he didn’t feel fear. It was strange.
Just as Yang Soran and the Blood Sword retreated, the Jade Buddha and Eumsangwi quickly attacked.
This was the second repetition of their attack pattern.
At that moment, Yeon Jeokha, waiting for the right moment, swung his sword to both sides.
With a slicing sound, his sword energy enveloped the Jade Buddha and Eumsangwi.
Alarmed, the Jade Buddha unleashed a palm strike to disperse the sword energy.
The Jade Buddha managed to step back, but Eumsangwi wasn’t as lucky.
He tried to counter the attack with his own energy, but it wasn’t enough.
With a dry sound, the sword energy sliced through Eumsangwi's wrist and pierced his chest.
Everything happened in an instant, leaving no time for anyone to help.
"Argh!"
Eumsangwi staggered back, clutching his bleeding chest.
The remaining six Demon Warriors were momentarily paralyzed by the shock, but Yeon Jeokha wasted no time and attacked the Jade Buddha.
His sword fell like lightning, using the Heavenly Dragon Dance technique from the True Classic of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship.
The Jade Buddha, having seen Eumsangwi fall, briefly relaxed, thinking that Yeon Jeokha would follow the same pattern.
But Yeon Jeokha surprised him, attacking directly.
'Damn it!'
The Jade Buddha, in a frenzy, launched both palms to counter the sword.
With a roar, the energies clashed, and although the Jade Buddha dispersed part of the attack, he couldn’t avoid the fatal blow.
"No!"
Yang Soran screamed, watching the sword descend upon the Jade Buddha.
The Jade Buddha's head split in two.
However, Yeon Jeokha wasn’t unscathed. As he descended, Muyounggwi, moving like a shadow, managed to cut his waist.
Despite the blood flowing from his wounds, Yeon Jeokha maintained his composure, observing the remaining Demon Warriors without letting fear take hold of him.
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