Book 28 Chapter 22

Black Heaven Ten Tablets (黑天十碑)

—Break through the castle gate guarded by the Black Dog

"Run, run? Ryu Yeon, do you mean that?"

Moyong Hwi, who usually had an obsessive cleanliness and never showed any signs of disarray, asked back, stammering in bewilderment.

"Of course, I mean it."

Bilyu Yeon said, subtly slipping the Flying Thunder Saber he held in his left hand back into his sleeve.

"Why? What's the reason?"

"First, we're outnumbered. It's dangerous to charge in with just us. And we survived, didn't we? Judging by what that blue lady said, she doesn't seem like she'll kill us anytime soon. It's not like they're complete strangers. And I overheard that the people inside the inn seem to have all escaped through a secret passage."

"Hmm, indeed, the secret passage of this Dragon Mountain Inn connects to outside the city walls. I've hardly used it out of fear of being discovered."

Jang Hong confirmed Bilyu Yeon's words.

"See? And as long as we're alive, there's a chance to rescue them again. If we charge in now and get caught, we'll be throwing away any future opportunities. What do you think, am I wrong?"

Bilyu Yeon's words were extremely cold and rational. However, in most cases, rational judgments do not receive emotional welcome.

"But…"

Moyong Hwi did not seem convinced. No, his judgment was not wrong, but he could not emotionally accept it.

"Hwi, can you defeat that monstrous, black-clad woman who alone subdued Yeomdo and Binggeom? If you can just hold off her and her sister, I'll figure out the rest. What do you say?"

Moyong Hwi was a martial artist in his own right. Moreover, he was a loyal disciple trained from a young age by Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon. Therefore, he knew the feeling of a different level of strength and the aura it possessed.

"Can you win?"

There was no need to hesitate to answer.

"…I hate to admit it, but I can't guarantee that even my grandfather could stop that woman. Of course, that doesn't mean grandfather would lose."

As if his words bothered him a little, he immediately added.

"Hoh! Is she that strong…?"

Jang Hong scratched his self-grown beard and grumbled.

"You can't be serious… I really can't believe it."

Namgung Sang felt the same way.

Who were the Three Saints of Heavenly Martial Arts (天武三聖)?

They were heroes of heroes, admired by all martial artists in the Black and White realms, and in the North and South. They were legendary figures at the pinnacle of martial arts, except for two gods. To think that even the Sword Saint, one of them, could not be guaranteed to win, no matter how much his grandson, Moyong Hwi, said it, it was unbelievable.

Bilyu Yeon pouted and grumbled.

"Ryongryong, if there was such a terrifying and deceptively young monster of a grandmother, you should have told me in advance. An unforeseen variable has appeared, one that requires completely redrawing the entire picture."

The appearance of the Three Great Young Lords and the Eight Immortals of Divine Demonic Arts was an unexpected development for Bilyu Yeon. It was a variable that greatly disrupted his plans.

"So, are you agreeing to run?"

Moyong Hwi nodded reluctantly.

"But I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Isn't 'running' a bit unpleasant to hear? At least call it a strategic retreat."

Moyong Hwi, who still cared a lot about appearances, was like that. However, Jang Hong and Namgung Sang both actively agreed with his thought this time.

"Uncle Jang, are there any other hidden secret passages in Muchang?"

"How nice would it be if things went so smoothly and easily? But worldly affairs often happen the opposite way."

"In short, there aren't any. Why make it long when it can be short? Then, where is the nearest castle gate?"

"People sometimes like to say things in a roundabout way. And the nearest castle gate is, of course, the South Gate."

"Then we have no choice, we have to go to the South Gate."

At that, Jang Hong was surprised and asked back.

"Do you know who is guarding there?"

"Of course. Isn't it the Black Dog, one of the Black Heaven Ten Tablets?"

"And you're going there? To a place that might be guarded by the Ten Great Masters of the Black Heaven Alliance?"

"Given how things have turned out, it's likely that skilled warriors with good reputations are already guarding the other gates in multiple layers. Since we're trapped anyway, it's better to go to the nearest place. Who knows, maybe they've been summoned elsewhere."

"I wish that were the case…"

There was no time to hesitate. They risked being discovered if they stayed any longer.

'Or perhaps we've already been discovered.'

Bilyu Yeon looked ahead and stomped his foot powerfully.

'Stay tied up nicely until Master Yi rescues you.'

Then, he unleashed his movement technique and dashed towards the South Gate as if flying.

* * *

"Tch, nothing ever goes smoothly. I personally like things that are easy."

Bilyu Yeon looked at the South Gate in the distance and said with a smile.

"You can still smile in a situation like this."

"This must be Jang Uncle's words coming true."

"Hoh. So, is this all my fault?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would that uncle be standing there?"

As Jang Hong said, things in the world don't always work out so luckily. Standing in the middle of the tightly shut South Gate, holding a black rope, was none other than the first of the Black Heaven Ten Tablets, the strongest soldier, the Black Dog (黑犬).

"That's why people should live positively."

Jang Hong, who had been blamed for his careless words, couldn't help but feel wronged.

"Stop the nonsense and what do you intend to do now?"

Bilyu Yeon, Jang Hong, Moyong Hwi, and Namgung Sang.

None of them slowed their pace as they unleashed their movement techniques towards the South Gate.

"In such a situation, it's naturally a frontal assault, isn't there any other way?"

Heo Geon, who stood defiantly in front of the South Gate with his unique weapon, the black rope 'Black Crow Binding Dragon Rope' (黑烏縛龍索), was momentarily dumbfounded.

The three intruders, seeing him, showed no intention of slowing down. This was treating the Black Heaven Ten Tablets, renowned throughout the North and South, too lightly. He felt the need to show them a lesson.

"Stop! I arrest you all!"

Heo Geon bent his body backward and took a deep breath, his chest swelling like a balloon.

"Be careful! It's the 'Black Dog's Roar' (黑犬吼)!"

Jang Hong, with his broad knowledge, quickly covered his ears and warned them. The Black Dog's Roar was one of his unique martial arts, a sound technique in the category of Lion's Roar. Heo Geon straightened his body, which had been bent like a bow, and shouted, infusing his breath with internal energy.

"Khurrrrrr!"

Instantly, a roar like that of a ferocious beast echoed through the night sky, flying towards Bilyu Yeon and the others. Along with the sound, a gust of wind arose, and dust and gravel swirled noisily towards them.

"Are you crazy? Stop at a mere dog's bark!"

Bilyu Yeon, without slowing down at all, brought his right hand down from above. At that moment, a flash of white lightning-like light shot down from his sleeve like a thunderbolt.

Flying Thunder Saber (飛雷刀) Secret Technique (秘傳) Fifth Style (奧義)

Chapter of Thunderclap Severing (霹靂斷切)

Sound Severing Thunderclap (雷切斷音)

Chaaaaaaaak!

As the descending white lightning struck the incoming Black Dog's Roar, which flew like a cannonball of air, a sound like tearing starched cloth echoed, and the world suddenly became silent for a moment. This move was a supreme technique that literally cut off the sound waves, like lightning severing thunder.

"A dog shouldn't block a person's path, so get out of the way! I'm in a hurry!"

The sound of a young brat shouting while breaking through his proud Black Dog's Roar made Heo Geon's face contort with surprise, disbelief, and anger.

In Muchang, the existence of the Black Heaven Ten Tablets was always a subject of awe, so it was common sense for anyone to yield to him. Therefore, when had he ever been humiliated by a young brat like Bilyu Yeon?

"Who do you think you are, calling me a dog! Your guts have popped out of your belly! Today, I will capture you, slit open your belly, and see how swollen your liver is!"

Then, he wildly swung his Black Crow Binding Dragon Rope. The black rope stretched out and attacked Bilyu Yeon from all directions, like a net. However, Bilyu Yeon showed no signs of wavering.

"If someone has 'dog' written on their forehead, what else would you call them if not a dog?"

Instead of reflecting, he didn't stop talking. Heo Geon's face went from red to blue, fluctuating like a hot and cold bath.

"You insolent brat! How dare you! Only one person can call me a dog!"

Enraged, Heo Geon swung his rope, and the black ropes moved nimbly like living snakes, tightening around Bilyu Yeon like a net. This technique was the first move of his unique martial art, 'Thirty-Six Forms of Binding Dragon' (縛龍三十六式), the Black Rope Capture Net (墨索捕網).

A condescending smile formed on Bilyu Yeon's lips.

"Hmph, who would get caught in such a flimsy net? Even an elephant could escape."

Compared to his martial art, the Flying Thunder Saber, this net was too coarse.

Bilyu Yeon's body seemed to stretch out, and he smoothly slipped through the mesh of the Black Crow Binding Dragon Rope. Then, he said,

"This doesn't even require the 'Usual Dodge, Not a Single Hit' level of skill."

As Bilyu Yeon so easily escaped the black rope's encirclement, Heo Geon couldn't help but be surprised. Following Bilyu Yeon's lead, Moyong Hwi, Namgung Sang, and Jang Hong also escaped the onslaught of the Black Crow Binding Dragon Rope in turn.

Bilyu Yeon, still not stopping, raised one hand, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He shouted in a confident, energetic voice.

"This is what a real net looks like!"

Flying Thunder Saber (飛雷刀) Fifth Style (奧義)

Chapter of Silver Net Enveloping Heaven (銀網包天)

Form of Heavenly Net Silver Net (天羅銀網之勢)

Thunder Net Prison (雷網獄)

From between Bilyu Yeon's five raised fingers, a cluster of thin silver threads shimmered like a mirage.

"Huh!"

The next moment, Heo Geon felt as if he were trapped in a giant prison. A prison from which he could not escape, and a chilling killing intent that suggested his body would be shredded if he moved even a single step. His body froze for a moment. One of the Black Heaven Ten Tablets had stopped moving out of tension.

However, the chilling and eerie killing intent disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"Huh?"

As soon as Heo Geon's consciousness returned, he saw what was rushing towards him. It was Bilyu Yeon's tightly clenched fist.

"This is what hits a dog directly!"

Three Stove Dog Beating Fist Style (三伏狗打拳法) Fifth Style (奧義)

Return of the Last Stove [Return to Heaven Last Stove] (回天末伏)

Heaven and Earth Without Dogs (天地無犬) Three Years Dog Beating (三年狗打)

From Bilyu Yeon's clenched fist, the formidable consecutive punches of the finishing move, the Last Stove Heaven and Earth Without Dogs, exploded forth. And at three times the usual beating speed!

Dada-da-da-da-da-da-da! Ttush-ttush! Dada-da-da-da! Ttu-ttu-ttush! Dada-da-da-da-da-da-da! Dada! Dak-dak! Dak-dak!

Heo Geon, spitting blood, was sent flying over five zhang. He did not get up, whether dead or unconscious. Seeing his fingertips trembling, he didn't seem to be dead. As one of the Ten Great Masters of the Black Heaven Alliance fell so easily, the remaining warriors were astonished and flustered. They seemed like soldiers without a commander, not knowing what to do.

"This is our chance! Open the gate quickly!"

Jang Hong shouted without stopping his running. Heo Geon's life or death was not their concern.

"How? Where is the gate-opening mechanism?"

Bilyu Yeon shouted to Namgung Sang, who was looking around in a panic.

"What gate-opening mechanism! No time! Break it!"

"Break it? Impossible, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Weren't castle gates designed to withstand siege engines?

"Impossible, my foot! What are you saving your sword energy for? If one strike isn't enough, three strikes! Three Consecutive Strikes! Gong Sang, Hwi, Uncle Jang! Open the way!"

Following Bilyu Yeon's command, Namgung Sang had already instinctively unleashed the ultimate move of the Lightning Sword Style, Lightning Bow Flash Thunder (雷弓閃雷), and Jang Hong shot out a peculiar gray sword energy of unknown origin. Finally, Moyong Hwi unleashed the ultimate move of the Silver River Meteor Sword Style, Silver River Myriad Forms (銀河滿上).

The sword energies of the three peak masters shot towards the same point.

Kwakwakwakwang!

Even the sturdy castle gate, designed to withstand tens of thousands of soldiers, was insufficient. Unable to withstand the internal energy of the sword energy, the castle gate shattered in all directions with a thunderous roar. As dust and debris flew everywhere, screams were heard from all sides, and soldiers and warriors scattered. Since Heo Geon was defeated, no one seemed brave enough to guard the gaping castle gate.

"Whew! This is truly a masterless land! Good! Let's run!"

Bilyu Yeon, the first to pass through the roughly opened castle gate, shouted with great spirit.

"Please, call it a strategic retreat, Ryu Yeon!"

Moyong Hwi, chasing after him, made one last request.

"Okay, then let's strategically run!"

Bilyu Yeon corrected himself once more.

"That's not it, Ryu Yeon!"

With Moyong Hwi's protest echoing behind him, the shadows of the four people disappeared into the night darkness.

The clouds, carried by the wind, covered the moon, leaving only darkness around them. Thus, Bilyu Yeon, Moyong Hwi, Namgung Sang, and Jang Hong, the four of them, successfully disappeared into the darkness of the night.

* * *

A moment later.

The scattered warriors gradually gathered around Heo Geon, who lay sprawled out in a large '大' shape. Each of them had a black dog emblem embroidered on their right chest. Among them, a man in his early thirties with a remarkably pale face walked forward, sighed as he looked at the fallen Heo Geon, and said,

"How long are you going to lie there, Captain? You'll fall asleep."

Heo Geon, who had fallen to the ground from Bilyu Yeon's blow, peeked his eyes open and asked Baekgu, the副队长 (bu dae jang - deputy leader) of the Black Dog Unit.

"Are they gone?"

Baekgu, the deputy leader of the Black Dog Unit, sighed and nodded. He knew that Heo Geon was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

"Captain, you know they're all gone."

Only then did Heo Geon spring to his feet and brush the dust off his body.

"How was my acting? Wasn't it amazing? Didn't it look like I really lost?"

As Heo Geon boasted with a smug grin, Baekgu sighed again and praised him in a calm tone.

"Yes, it was a truly magnificent defeat. I really thought you were defeated by such a brat."

It was an undeniably insincere compliment.

"Kuhahaha! As if that would happen! Me losing to such a brat is absurd!"

Heo Geon put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter. Then, suddenly, he felt a searing pain erupt from the depths of his bones, almost causing him to buckle his waist.

'Kuhuk!'

Heo Geon suppressed the scream that was about to escape and forced strength into his wavering legs. He was a leader of the Black Heaven Ten Great Masters; he couldn't show such a disgrace in front of his subordinates who had been summoned after a long time.

"What's wrong, Captain Heo Geon? You don't look well?"

To the deputy leader Baekgu's questioning look, he shook his head and said,

"Ah, no. It's nothing. I was just lost in thought for a moment."

Heo Geon gritted his teeth and pretended nothing was wrong. However, he couldn't stop the cold sweat trickling down his back. His entire body was throbbing as if shaking.

'Did a mere punch pierce my Black Killing Qi?'

Heo Geon couldn't help but frown.

He was confident in taking Bilyu Yeon's punch directly. His unique defensive qi, 'Black Killing Bodyguard Qi' (黑殺護身氣), had reached its peak, making him impervious to even the slightest impact from ordinary fists and palms. Even swords could not inflict a single scratch on his skin. He was surprised that a bare fist could break through such a peak defensive qi and inflict this much damage.

'To think that the impact still remains in my internal organs… Has my life as a retired soldier been too long…'

Heo Geon decided he needed to warm up his body more.

"But was it really necessary to do this? To summon us, the Black Dog Unit, whom you haven't called upon for so long."

To the deputy leader Baekgu's comment, Heo Geon nodded as if it were natural.

"Of course, it was necessary. And it wasn't just anyone; it was the Third Young Lady's command. She's called the Fairy of Ten Virtues. There's no mistake in her orders. Everything is proceeding according to the Young Lady's plan."

"I wish that were the case…"

"Do you know what kind of hunting dog is a great hunting dog?"

"Isn't a great hunting dog one that catches its prey well?"

"No. You still have a long way to go. A great hunting dog is one that guides its master well to where the prey is. It's not the hunting dog's role to cut off the prey's life. That's the master's role."

The master he spoke of was, of course, Gu Cheon Hyeon Nyeo. Looking into the darkness where Bilyu Yeon and his group had disappeared, Heo Geon muttered,

"Now, will you guide us to where the white tiger, the leader of the Jungcheon Alliance, is?"

A smile, reminiscent of a predator chasing prey, appeared on his lips. He then shouted to his subordinates, who had gathered behind him in perfect order.

"Chase them, Black Dog Unit! Guiding our master to the prey is the mission and role of our Black Hunting Dog, the Black Dog Unit!"

As if responding to his shout, cheers erupted in unison.

"We begin the hunt!"

As the leader's command fell, the black hunting dogs began to run, piercing through the darkness.