Ak Jinheon stared at Wiji Cheon and Yeon Soha with a dazed expression. "Two students took down one of the Ten Great Villains...?"
Judging by their appearance, they were just a small boy and a slender girl. If not for their blood-soaked uniforms, it would have been hard to believe that they were martial artists.
The large man sank to his knees.
Nevertheless, they had overpowered and severed the arms of one of the Ten Great Villains. Given that subduing an enemy alive was far more difficult than killing them, their victory could not have been purely down to luck, too. They had completely crushed their opponent.
"It wasn't that big of a deal. He was already exhausted by the time we ran into him."
"I definitely couldn't have captured him alone. I might have been able to kill him if I was lucky, but..."
His swordsmanship hinted at countless real-life battle experiences unbecoming of his age.
At this point, it was hard to tell whether they were being humble or arrogant.
Even Namgung Su seemed at a loss for words for a moment, but he soon frowned. "...Let's save the pleasantries for later. Did you get any information out of him?"
"Actually, we found out something important. Oi, tell them what you told us earlier." Yeon Soha yanked on the rope, and the Second Eccentric staggered.
With both arms missing, he looked a decade older. For a villain who had roamed the world for decades as if he owned it, committing countless atrocities, this was a pathetic end.
The Second Eccentric reluctantly mumbled, "...The Blood Cult has reinforcements. When they arrive, everyone here will die."
"Reinforcements?" Namgung Su narrowed his eyes.
So that was the source of my anxiety.
The collapse of the gorge had already resulted in significant casualties among their allies. Most of the martial artists who participated in the battle were injured, and many had died. If enemy reinforcements arrived now, the damage would increase exponentially.
Namgung Su pressed, "When will they arrive? What are their numbers and strengths? Tell me everything you know."
"How would I know? Do you think a master tells his servant everything?" The Second Eccentric shrugged and cackled, blood dripping from the stumps of his arms with every movement.
Namgung Su snorted derisively. "Oh, I see now. You're just a hunting dog."
"Yuanshi Tianzun," Yeon Soha chanted the Taoist deity's name softly in prayer for the dead. Glancing at Wiji Cheon, she asked, "Are you hurt?"
The Second Eccentric's eyes flashed with hatred for the Blood Cult that had blackmailed him and his brothers into participating in this battle with poison. Lifting his chin, he gestured in a certain direction. "I don't know the details, but I know who's coming. Take a look over there."
Everyone's gaze followed.
RUMBLE!
A massive vortex formed where cold and heat met. The Fire King and the Second Apostle, who had created the gorge, were still fighting ferociously. The contrast of temperatures created a powerful gust, and even untrained eyes could see boulders and uprooted trees being swept into the storm.
"Apostles..." Just muttering the word caused the Second Eccentric to quiver. Even the thought of that being frightened him. Still, he grinned ominously, "More monsters like that are coming. Do you think you can handle them? Are you counting on the Fire King? Do you think that washed-up old man can stop an Apostle? How naive. She's just toying with him. Hehehehe..."
The Second Eccentric laughed hysterically. His arms had been cut off by prodigies, and he had lost the brothers with whom he had committed murder and pillage for decades. Although it wouldn't be weird for him to go completely insane, his desperate instinct to live lingered.
"We have to run!" he screamed. "We have to get out of here now! I don't care if you throw me into the Murim Alliance's prison. Hurry and get me out of here!"
As he rambled wildly, he started to foam at the mouth and passed out, his expression a mix of injury, fatigue, and terror.
"I don't think he knows anything else. Should I kill him?" Wiji Cheon asked innocently.
Namgung Su shook his head. "He could be an important witness later, so we'll take him alive."
"Right? That's what I said, but this one kept trying to kill him, asking why we had to drag him around," Yeon Soha tattled.
Namgung Su nodded as if he understood. "A disciple is bound to resemble their master. Give me the rope."
Taking the rope from Yeon Soha, he unceremoniously tossed the unconscious Second Eccentric into the cave where the secret passage was.
"Things are already tough for us as it is, but if enemy reinforcements are coming, we must hurry," Donggeol warned.
Everyone nodded. At the very least, they had to get the students, the civilians, and the injured out of the gorge first. That was the only way to save as many people as possible.
"First, we'll cover the cave entrance and then..."
"He's here! The Thunder God of the Namgung Clan is here!"
She grinned and nodded.
"Don't act rashly! Send out the Blood Zombies first!"
Namgung Su examined the uniforms of the approaching enemies. These were not ordinary Blood Cultists. It seemed the elites of the Phantom Killers and the Blood Wolves had tracked him down. They had probably concluded that capturing the enemy supreme master would turn the tide of the battle...and they were right.
"We will capture the Thunder God here. Form a perimeter."
At the captains' command, the Phantom Killers and Blood Wolves began to close in.
Namgung Su grit his teeth. "Of all the times..."
He had to defend the entrance to the secret passage behind him at all costs. If the Blood Cult collapsed the tunnel, their plan to evacuate the injured and students was doomed.
There's no guarantee they're the last of my pursuers, too. More could be on their way...
After a quick calculation, Namgung Su said to Ak Jinheon and Donggeol. "Elder, you will escape through the passage first. Donggeol, protect the Elder."
"Yes!" Ak Jinheon pressed his lips together and entered the cave without a word. He knew full well that him staying would be of no help.
Namgung Su moved to block the cave entrance and instructed the two students who had drawn their swords, intending to fight alongside him. "You two, go find the Ak Clan Young Lady and bring reinforcements."
"But..."
"What about you, Mr. Namgung?"
"Don't make me waste my time persuading you."
Namgung Su told the students where to find Ak Yeonhwa. After a moment of hesitation, they bit their lips and nodded.
"When I give the signal, deploy your movement arts with all your might."
Stepping forward, Namgung Su swung the Divine Azure Dragon Sword.
CRACKLE!
Lightning poured from the blade, striking the enemies closing in on them.
"Now!"
Wiji Cheon and Yeon Soha shot through the path he had cleared. Several people tried to chase them, but Namgung Su held them back with the Royal Lightning Sword Style.
"Where are you going?" Namgung Su taunted. "I'm your target, aren't I?"
"He may look fine on the outside, but there's no way he hasn't sustained internal injuries after fighting one of the Ten Supremes."
To make his act more convincing, he let a faint trickle of blood flow from the corner of his mouth, as if his internal injuries had worsened.
[You intend to guard this place alone until those children return,] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword sighed.
Namgung Su could tell she had experienced such situations often. "I imagine Baek Suryong often does such things. In any case, thanks to you, I don't feel isolated."
[Hmph, who is comforting whom? I will aid you with all my power.]
The Divine Azure Dragon Sword buffed Namgung Su with sorcery, making him feel significantly lighter.
Gripping the hilt with both hands, Namgung Su raised the sword to a middle guard and smiled coldly.
"Come," he called out provocatively.
WHOOSH!
Two figures shot forward in a straight line. Each time their feet touched the ground, a clear footprint was stamped into the earth, and a shockwave burst out behind them.
"Stop them!"