Black and White Martial Emperor

Before entering Guangdong Province, Yeon Hojeong’s predictions regarding the enemy’s response largely fell into three categories.

First, they would watch.

In the assassin world, caution was a virtue. More than any martial artist living on the thin ice that was the martial world, assassins were the ones who acted with the greatest caution.

They would watch until the very end. Even if they became certain they could take someone’s throat, they would only extract information such as weaknesses and strengths, then hide themselves thoroughly.

Of course, that was under ordinary circumstances. Guangdong Province had already become an area firmly held by the assassins led by the Yin God. Moreover, the Yin God’s ability was at least above the level of the sect leaders of the Nine Sects, and the current Yin God even came from the Perverse Lust Cult.

There was no way he had not heard the rumors that the Divine Flame Cult’s warriors had been annihilated. If so, even after hearing that the Martial Alliance had dispatched a unit, there was a high possibility he would not simply watch.

That was why the second possibility was that they would watch quietly, then at some point dispatch every assassin they could mobilize and form an inescapable net.

An assassin was threatening simply by existing. It was said that once someone reached the level of a Peak master, they could read and react to the Killing Intent of most first-rate assassins, but if they let their guard slip, they would still be taken down all the same.

Of course, it would depend on the environment. In other words, they could send a few assassins to gauge the level of the field-force unit, lure them to an advantageous location, and wipe them out in one stroke.

Personally, Yeon Hojeong placed the highest likelihood on this second case. Since both sides already knew what there was to know about each other, there was no reason to waste time needlessly.

However, this case had the drawback of risking their existence being completely revealed to the outside world.

There was an enormous difference between something being confidential and its actual existence being announced to the whole world. It was a matter tied directly to public sentiment, and in such a situation, both the Martial Alliance and the Three Creeds would inevitably shoulder an enormous burden.

It was the most likely possibility, but not an overwhelmingly probable one. That was what Yeon Hojeong thought.

And the third and final possibility was that they would send an overwhelmingly powerful master to remove this side’s commander.

It was the most assassin-like method, while also avoiding the need to announce the Perverse Lust Cult’s existence to the world. It could be considered a method of attacking the Martial Alliance’s weakness: although the Martial Alliance already knew of the Three Creeds, it was difficult for them to reveal the Three Creeds’ existence while risking the chaos that would seize the entire Central Plains.

Put another way, it could also be called the smartest decision. However, for this third case to be established, one precondition was necessary.

And the person who met that precondition was now approaching Yeon Hojeong.

Strong!

That was right.

The Yin God could not move personally to deal with the enemy commander. Even in preparation for unforeseen circumstances, a commander could not stand at the vanguard in the opening battle.

If so, there had to be at least one supreme master capable of taking out the enemy commander. Only then could the third case be established.

But to think it would be a master dispatched directly from the Perverse Lust Cult!

Fwoooooosh!

A sticky, oppressive aura, thick and muddy as clay, seized the air.

It approached while slowly pushing back the fierce fighting spirit produced by Yeon Hojeong’s White Tiger Qi. It was as if the waves of the North Sea were driving against a river of blazing flame.

Chiiiiiiik!

The Yeon Clan Divine Core rotated, pouring strength into the White Tiger Qi.

Most of the Wood Spirit Pill’s effect that Yangcheon had given him had been handed over to Gangryang. But a portion of it had still aided the strengthening of Yeon Hojeong’s internal force, and thanks to that, he had not only recovered from all the internal injuries he had suffered, but had also gained Inner Qi that was slightly more amplified than before.

As a result, Yeon Hojeong’s Inner Qi now did not fall short even compared to Mookbi’s enormous Inner Qi of unknown origin.

With that much Inner Qi, at least when it came to controlling True Qi, there would be few in the current age who could look down on Yeon Hojeong. How efficiently one used a tremendous amount of Inner Qi depended entirely on enlightenment.

Fusssssss!

The tiger wind of his White Tiger Qi, which stirred up a gale, was slowly being pushed back.

His vast Inner Qi, and the qi wave of Yeon Hojeong, who controlled that Inner Qi more efficiently than any Transcendent Peak master, was being pushed back.

This was entirely because he was being overpowered by the strength of internal force itself. No matter how profound Yeon Hojeong’s enlightenment was, if he fell behind in the actual density of power, he could only be pushed back in a contest of internal force.

Just like when he had faced Beonjak.

A Perverse Lust Cult master who has reached the extreme. And this evil qi is......?

It was a martial art he knew. A familiar True Qi.

......Blood-Drinking!

In that instant, Yeon Hojeong’s gaze exploded.

Kwaaaang! Fwoooooosh!

Terrifying Vermilion Bird Qi gathered in the twin palms Yeon Hojeong thrust out.

That Vermilion Bird Qi smashed the trees stretching long to the left and right and formed a massive wall of flame. Since the firepower had been poured out as if he had done it deliberately, four or five shattered trees instantly fell onto the official road, creating a wall of fire.

At that moment, the master approaching while raising a storm of evil qi punched out.

Puuuuung!

A fist wind of tremendous power shattered the burning trees to pieces.

Pupupupung!

Yeon Hojeong’s response was swift. With the Northern Heaven Twelve Walls of his left palm, he blocked the bursting fragments of wood, while with the Red-Flame Six-Kill Art of his right palm, he further raised the density of the scattering flames.

He manifested the Black Tortoise Qi, which was water qi, and the Vermilion Bird Qi, which was Fire energy, at the same time without the slightest tremor. Even while manifesting two opposing yin-yang energies simultaneously, his internal force did not collapse.

Surprise appeared in the eyes of the approaching master, Soh Bang.

Kwaaaang!

Unable to break through the wall of fire, Soh Bang landed in front of it.

With the wall of fire between them, the man and woman faced each other. The flames flickering endlessly made the view dizzying, but even so, the two could recognize each other precisely.

Soon, a strange expression appeared on Soh Bang’s face.

“Yeon Hojeong?”

“......”

“Hmm. Judging by that absurd axe and chain, I suppose you really are Yeon Hojeong, Commander of the Evil-Smiting Corps.”

Yeon Hojeong did not answer. He simply looked at Soh Bang with emotionless eyes whose meaning could not be read.

Soh Bang ignored the look in his eyes. To begin with, she had no desire to know the other person’s feelings or thoughts.

“By the way, why are you playing such pointless tricks? Someone at your level should have been able to roughly infer my strength. This means nothing to me.”

“......”

“You don’t want to answer? Or did you freeze because you’re terrified?”

Soh Bang smiled coldly.

“You brought fairly useful children with you. That archer girl behind you looks rather threatening. And even little ones who learned Daoist martial arts? Not bad.”

It was one thing for her to notice Mookbi, but she had even detected Okcheong and Yeoguk, who were waiting in the forest quite far away. That showed just how sharp Soh Bang’s senses were.

Soh Bang, who had been quietly studying Yeon Hojeong’s face, shrugged.

“You must be shocked. Well, it’s understandable. With that level of skill at your age, you have every right to become arrogant. At the age when you should be looking down on the world with all that arrogance, a master like me suddenly appears. Given that you aren’t even trying to cling to your pride in the middle of it, it certainly means......”

Rumbbbbble!

At that moment, Yeon Hojeong’s twin palms once again turned the forest to Soh Bang’s left and right into a sea of fire.

This time, it was so fast that even Soh Bang found it difficult to react. With the White Tiger Qi placed at the front, he had controlled his exploding Killing Intent with Vermilion Bird Qi, then detonated it all at once, so it was only natural.

Hwaaaaaaaak!

Ahead, and to the left and right.

Hot Fire energy surged from every direction except behind.

Soh Bang frowned.

“What are you trying to do?”

Yeon Hojeong shouted, “Mookbi! If you see an opening, shoot without hesitation! Never approach her!”

Paaaaang!

No sooner had those words ended than Yeon Hojeong broke through the wall of fire and approached Soh Bang.

It was the Blood-Wing Sweeping Heaven he had unfolded in an instant. Naturally, its speed was beyond description. Even Soh Bang’s face hardened for a moment at Yeon Hojeong’s explosive movement speed.

Fwoooooosh!

The flames screamed in delight.

His left hand, surging with Vermilion Bird Fire Qi, flew toward Soh Bang’s face. It was a strike that valued speed over destructive power, and his pointed fingertips aimed for Soh Bang’s Adam’s apple.

Soh Bang was dumbfounded.

He’s choosing a frontal clash?

The opponent probably did not even know her properly. In other words, without even exchanging names, he had suddenly launched an attack brimming with Killing Intent.

That much, she could accept. But what was even more absurd was the gap between herself and her opponent.

Soh Bang was confident. Even if there were three Yeon Hojeongs, it would be hard for them to take her down.

That was how great the gap between her and the opponent was.

He’s more reckless than I thought. Well, he is young.

His speed was fast, and the sharpness of his left hand was excellent.

But that was all. She had simply been surprised by the unexpected movement.

Quickly regaining her composure, Soh Bang moved her hand with ease to block Yeon Hojeong’s left hand.

It was then.

......?!

Soh Bang’s eyes changed abruptly.

What?

In that instant, split into an even thinner instant.

She could feel the path of Yeon Hojeong’s left hand, which had been moving as quickly as lightning, subtly change. It was a sensation she could perceive because Soh Bang’s actual skill was above Yeon Hojeong’s.

It’s coiling around?

Srrrrk!

Yeon Hojeong’s Red-Flame Six-Kill Hand moved lightly as a feather and coiled around Soh Bang’s wrist.

Soh Bang urgently detonated her True Qi.

Puuuuung!

Yeon Hojeong’s left hand was pushed back as if it had bounced away.

The entire sequence of internal-force control—gathering True Qi, circulating True Qi, executing force emission, changing the force, and then finally detonating explosive force—had truly reached the realm of divine skill.

She was a terrifying master who, with only an instant of time, could control her Inner Qi freely and even change the nature of her force emission. It was not that Yeon Hojeong could not do the same, but he could not wield a force-emission art as powerful as Soh Bang’s in such a short amount of time.

But it was fine.

There was a reason Yeon Hojeong had raised a wall of fire and launched a head-on clash against Soh Bang, a master several levels above him.

Boooooong!

The enormous axe blade of Mad Dragon rose diagonally from the lower left.

For an instant, Soh Bang felt chills at the aura pouring from Mad Dragon.

What is this? What is it?

Shweeeeeeeek!

Considering the weight of the axe, it was being swung at an impossible speed. But Soh Bang possessed enough skill to respond to that speed.

Even so, Soh Bang felt her body stiffen, if only for an instant.

Because of the Killing Intent pouring from Mad Dragon? Not at all.

Why from this direction......?

There was no time to delay now. Soh Bang quickly used a kicking art and kicked up the blade of Mad Dragon.

Jjeooooong!

It was heavy.

Even though she had unleashed the kicking art with abundant Blood-Drinking evil qi, she felt considerable pain in the top of her foot and her shin. That meant the axe was even heavier than it looked, and the True Qi contained in the axe was beyond her expectations.

But right now, that was not the problem.

Shiiiiiiik!

Rotating his body, Yeon Hojeong aimed for Soh Bang’s chin with a kicking art that seemed to coil upward.

Soh Bang, who had been about to launch an immediate follow-up, was startled and retreated backward.

Paaaaaang!

It was not a springy, whipping kick, but a heavy upward kick. Yet the sound of bursting air rang out. Its power was tremendous.

Whoosh!

Soh Bang’s body retreated backward. The movement technique that carried her nearly five zhang in an instant was dazzling.

Yeon Hojeong lowered his leg with a calm face.

The corners of Soh Bang’s eyes trembled.

“......What are you?”

The hand technique he had unfolded with his left hand, the cleaving strike he had lifted with the axe, and even the rising kick aimed at her chin.

In that sudden close-range exchange, the path of the Blood-Drinking Palm she had been trying to use had been blocked again and again from the very beginning. It had been hard to properly use her hand even once.

It was countering.

There, in those movements, was a divine counter to the Blood-Drinking Palm.

“What the hell are you!”

Yeon Hojeong shouted, “Form the formation!”

Flash!

Okcheong and Yeoguk, who had moved through the sea of fire on the left, stood five zhang behind Soh Bang, burning their True Qi and aiming their swords.

The Evil-Smiting Three-Kill Formation, Three-Kill Small Formation, had activated.

Only then did Yeon Hojeong look at Soh Bang and speak.

“Welcome, half-breed.”

“......?!”