KRA-KRA-KRA-KRA-BOOM!
Lightning struck from the heavens as the earth below overturned. The slowly brightening dawn seemed to startle and hesitate for a moment as the divine might of the two peerless masters recreated a phenomenon no different from a natural disaster, sweeping away the Blood Cultists.
A wide, open space formed around Baek Suryong as he descended to the ground.
"...It's the Azure Dragon Hero!"
"Mr. Baek Suryong?"
"Mr. Baek!"
The Ak Clan spearmen and the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors, who had been guarding the secret passage, gaped blankly for a moment before erupting into cheers. Several senior students, relieved of their tension, slumped to the ground.
Everyone present was exhausted and resolved to die. For them, the appearance of the Azure Dragon Hero was more reassuring than the arrival of a heavenly army.
At first, however, some were wary. Baek Suryong was wearing a blood-red robe instead of his usual blue coat, which made them think he was a Blood Cult master. After more and more people recognized his face, though, the cheers welcoming him reached a fever pitch.
"...Those clothes don't suit you," Namgung Su grumbled and frowned slightly as he descended to the ground, landing naturally beside Baek Suryong and standing back-to-back with him. He didn't have enough inner qi left to stay airborne for much longer. "Also, Baek Suryong."
"Yeah?" Baek Suryong responded casually, not looking back.
Namgung Su ran his hand over the hilt of the sword, which fit perfectly in his palm. "What sword is this?"
"Oh, that? It belonged to a Blood Cult elder, but don't worry. It's not steeped in grudges or killing intent!"
CRACKLE!
Thunderclap had quivered in fear in Baek Suryong's hands, but now, it cheerfully emitted lightning energy.
Noticing this, Baek Suryong grumbled in disbelief. "Is this thing picky about its user?"
"A legendary sword chooses its master," Namgung Su replied smugly, seeming very pleased with Thunderclap.
[Hmph! So that sword was meant for Namgung Su] the Divine Azure Dragon Sword harrumphed.
Baek Suryong chuckled, enjoying the familiar nagging. "Why would any sword catch my eye when I already have the world's finest divine sword?"
[...Do you think I care about such things? I was merely concerned as that child did not seem fit to fully endure your martial arts.]
VWOOM!
Crimson Moon, hanging from Baek Suryong's right hip, hummed as if scoffing, but the Divine Azure Dragon Sword pretended not to notice it.
Regardless, the reunion was brief. Soon, the Blood Cultists began to surround Baek Suryong and Namgung Su.
"I have a lot to ask you, Baek Suryong, but we can talk after the fight."
"Right. Let's clean these guys up first."
The two swordmasters stood back-to-back, raising their swords to face their enemies. Despite the fact that the Blood Cult apostle, elders, and three of the Ten Great Villains had been defeated, killed, or driven off, the religious fanatics did not flee. They knew only death awaited them if they ran. If they died fighting, however, they could at least gain the honor of martyrdom.
"Hail the Blood Demon! All demons submit! Glory to the Supreme Blood Demon!"
Screaming maniacally, the Blood Cultists charged forward. Madness filled their eyes, displaying their determination to fight until every last one of their enemies was dead.
Baek Suryong observed the approaching foes. "How's your condition?"
"Good enough for these lunatics," Namgung Su said plainly.
Baek Suryong nodded. Neither of them was in perfect condition. He had fought two Blood Cult Elders and and an endless swarm of monsters in the Samsara Hell Annihilation Formation. Subsequently, he had faced the Undying Supreme Demon. Similarly, Namgung Su had engaged Ak Bi in a life-or-death duel, then fought to protect the students against the Blood Cult's elites. Between them, they had dozens of visible wounds, and their internal injuries were severe enough to require several days of recovery.
Still, neither of them showed any signs of weakness. They both suspected that the other was not in good shape, but neither said a word about it. Their egos wouldn't allow them to back down an inch, even in this situation.
"If you're struggling, fall back so you don't get in the way, Tenth Junior."
"I'm the one who will get rid of you if you become a nuisance, Junior."
THUD!
The sound of a single powerful stomp echoed as Baek Suryong and Namgung advanced with perfect synchrony.
SLICE!
Wielding Crimson Moon and the Divine Azure Dragon Sword in each hand, Baek Suryong split a charging blood zombie in two. Nevertheless, blood zombies were monsters that could move despite being torn apart. This one reached out to obstruct Baek Suryong's vision.
"Die!"
Four Blood Cultists emerged from his blind spots and attacked from both sides. Their eyes shone brightly and their bodies overflowed with power, indicating that they had drawn upon their life force. With no regard for their own lives, they threw themselves into the melee.
Baek Suryong stabbed two of them in the neck and deflected a third's attack. However, the last cultist took advantage of the opening to thrust his sword at Baek Suryong's heart.
CLANG!
Namgung Su deflected the attack and swung Thunderclap, beheading the enemy. Lightning energy sparked along a picturesque arc, but he didn't stop there. Lowering his stance completely, he brought his sword up. Two charging Blood Cultists were caught in its trajectory.
SPLURT!
Their gushing blood froze solid in midair as Baek Suryong, now covering Namgung Su's back, unleashed the White Ice Divine Art.
SQUELCH!
The Azure Dragon Sword pierced the Blood Cultists' hearts, leaving their faces forever contorted in agony.
The two swordmasters began racing around the battlefield, their thoughts aligned without any need for discussion. Fighting while trapped in an encirclement was inefficient, even for peerless masters. Hence, they kept moving to break the encirclement and throw the enemies into confusion.
SPLUUURT!
The sea of cultists parted like the Red Sea. Blood seeped into Baek Suryong's red robes, and the nauseating odor of burning flesh overwhelmed everyone's senses each time lightning flashed.
Baek Suryong and Namgung Su fought with deadly efficiency, conserving their inner qi, covering each other's blind spots, and using their stamina only for defense.
"Block them! Stop them somehow!"
"They're injured too. If we drag this into a war of attrition, we'll definitely have a chance..."
"Keoheok!"
The only word to describe the pair was 'unstoppable'. No one dared stand in their way as they tore through enemy lines. It didn't matter how many opponents there were. Death throes accompanied each swing of the Divine Azure Dragon Sword and Thunderclap.