C1705
A terrifying wave of heat erupted from the hand waving like an epileptic attack.
The supreme art of the Southern Sea Sun Palace, unrivaled in the entire martial world. The Sun Leader’s solar strike, charged with his entire essence, was unleashed in its full glory.
At that moment, the plum blossoms that had instantly bloomed adhered to the Sun Leader's hands as if predestined to do so. It was as if they were trying to smother the fire before it could spread.
"This...!"
Of course, the plum blossom sword technique does not involve real flower petals, and the solar strike is not actual fire. Therefore, such a situation should not occur.
However, it managed to momentarily delay the release of the solar strike.
In that space, Baek Cheon's sword lunged forward.
Baek Cheon's sword flew towards the face of the Sun Leader.
Though he had put all his strength into the strike, the sword seemed insignificant. It was not fast enough to pierce the enemy in one blow, nor did it have variations to confuse the enemy.
But the moment that insufficient sword combined with the plum blossom sword technique, it transformed into a deadly attack that even the Sun Leader could not avoid.
"Kuk!"
The Sun Leader abandoned the release of the solar strike and quickly raised his hand to block Baek Cheon's attack.
Clang!
The moment the hand and sword collided, a metallic sound that seemed to tear the eardrums was produced. A sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of the Sun Leader's lips.
'Idiot!'
Although the solar strike had not been released, the contained energy had not disappeared.
As expected, Baek Cheon, who had struck the Sun Leader's energy-filled hand, immediately spat blood.
"Get away...!"
Paaaat!
But at that moment, Baek Cheon's sword suddenly split into dozens of parts and rushed towards the Sun Leader's body. Even though the internal injury had penetrated his dantian, he intensified his attack.
Faced with this extremely reckless action, the Sun Leader's eyes widened.
Clang! Clang!
The Sun Leader's hands and feet moved frantically.
Although he would have easily blocked these careless attacks normally, his face contorted more and more with surprise.
'This lunatic!'
It was only an instant. Literally, if he was given just a moment of opportunity, this lunatic's body would melt, leaving only a few pieces of bloody flesh. At such a close distance, there would be no way to avoid the force of the solar strike or divert its heat.
And this guy undoubtedly knew that.
Despite that, he continued to approach without hesitation, brandishing his sword. It seemed he had given up his life from the beginning.
Clang!
The hand and sword clashed again and again.
With each repetition of the impact sound, the Sun Leader's face twisted, and his pride, which had once touched the sky, plummeted mercilessly.
Bang!
The Sun Leader, who had repelled the approaching sword with a single strike, let out a furious scream as he sent a strike towards Baek Cheon's open chest.
Bzzzzz!
With a sound like thousands of bees flying in unison, a dazzling golden energy sank into Baek Cheon's chest.
Paaaat!
Although three swords quickly launched in front of his chest, they were not enough to completely block the solar strike.
At that moment.
Booooooom!
A resonant sound, which could be described as auspicious, emerged near Baek Cheon's side. Unlike the radiant golden light of the solar strike, a soft Buddhist light emerged.
Kuuuuuung!
The solar strike clashed head-on with the divine wisdom strike of Buddha (般若神掌) emanating from Baek Cheon's side. The supreme spear that melted everything it touched met the shield that enveloped everything with Buddha's wisdom. Soon after, a sound like dozens of giant bells ringing simultaneously echoed.
The Sun Leader saw it clearly.
Tadadak!
The moment the hand extending from Baek Cheon's side collided with his solar strike, it seemed as if the hand was cooking as if boiling.
However, that hand did not retreat for even a single instant, nor did it waver.
It simply firmly blocked the attack directed at Baek Cheon.
Paaaat!
Baek Cheon was also in a situation no different from the owner of that boiling hand. In fact, his situation was probably worse.
But Baek Cheon's sword once again lunged towards the Sun Leader at an impressive speed.
Taking advantage of the small opening created by the clash between the solar strike and Buddha's divine wisdom strike, the sword launched precisely. The tip of the sword aimed at the center of the Sun Leader's face. He moved like a venomous snake full of poison.
The Sun Leader was startled and quickly turned his head. But in that brief moment, his face was cut, and blood splattered into the air.
The burning pain of the red sword cutting his face. He even felt that pain not only on the surface of his face but also inside his mouth.
Rage began to fill the Sun Leader's eyes.
"Aaaaaah! Damn bastard!"
Kwaaaaa!
He unleashed a strike with terrifying force.
Though it seemed as if a small sun was enveloping his body, Baek Cheon did not blink even once and continued to aim solely at the Sun Leader's face. He showed no consideration for defense.
The young curly-haired swordsman was the one who blocked that force. With his sword charged with energy, he blocked the attack horizontally.
Kwarurung!
It seemed as if he was blocking the fangs of a raging beast with his sword. The moment Jo Gul could not resist and was pushed back, a hand tinged with green flew towards the back of his sword.
Bang!
It was Yoon Jong's bamboo leaf strike. At the same moment he struck Jo Gul's sword with all his might.
Chiik!
The hand that touched the sword burned, emitting a nauseating smell. Yoon Jong clenched his teeth and channeled even more energy into his hand.
"Haaaap!"
"This...!"
The moment the Sun Leader tried to push forcefully to turn them both into ashes, dozens of plum blossoms bloomed above his head. It was Yoo Iseol.
The Sun Leader shuddered and pulled back. His hair was cut and scattered everywhere.
Seogeok!
Again, he felt a burning sensation on his face. Before he could realize the pain, Baek Cheon's sword launched towards his neck. Moreover, Hye Yeon's divine fist struck his chest at point-blank range.
"Aaaaah!"
The force of the solar strike exploded in all directions. The energy was not a technique but pure qi energy that enveloped everyone around.
The moment Jo Gul's eyes widened, a familiar back appeared in front of him.
Kwaaaang!
"Aaaaaah!"
"Kuk!"
The Sun Leader retreated repeatedly.
"Ugh..."
Drip.
Blood gushed from the wound on his forehead, staining his eyes. The world turned red for a moment.
"Sasuk!"
"Damn it, why!"
When he finally opened his eyes, he saw Jo Gul and Yoon Jong supporting Baek Cheon from both sides. White steam constantly emanated from Baek Cheon's body, which had taken the Burning Sun technique head-on.
Toc.
At that moment, Baek Cheon's hand, which had turned red and then black, clung tightly to Jo Gul's shoulder. He made an effort to lift his collapsing torso.
Chills.
Baek Cheon and the Sun Leader's eyes met. At that moment, the Sun Leader's body trembled from head to toe.
Although his eyes were swollen and barely open due to the burns, Baek Cheon's gaze was truly eerie.
Moreover, the swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect who were watching Baek Cheon also looked at the Sun Leader with eyes full of murderous intent. The fear that had once filled their eyes was nowhere to be seen.
Pain.
The wound on his forehead screamed. Even with the cheek deeply cut, the thick blood continued to accumulate in his mouth.
Never before had he experienced such pain in his life.
The Sun Leader was in confusion.
No, to be precise, he didn't want to recognize it. He didn't want to admit what this emotion he was feeling was.
After all, it was not a feeling that someone like him, the Sun Leader, should feel towards these insignificant beings.
"Lord!"
But the moment he heard the voice of his guard running towards him, the Sun Leader shouted unintentionally.
"Send the signal!"
The Guardian was greatly surprised.
"Lord? But still..."
"Send the signal now! Immediately!"
"Yes, understood!"
The Sun Palace Guardian quickly took something from his chest and pointed it towards the cliff.
A brief expression of doubt crossed Jo Gul and Yoon Jong's eyes, and suddenly, Baek Cheon, who seemed about to die, opened his eyes and shouted loudly.
"Stop him! Now!"
"What?"
Bang!
But it was already too late.
From the small cylinder the Guardian pointed towards the cliff, something red shot out, not towards the swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect, but towards the edge of the cliff.
----------------
"Oooooh!"
Namgung Myung wielded his sword with all his might, accompanied by a powerful shout.
Despite the Namgung Family's reputation, his movement technique was not considered high-level. But even in this unstable situation, the sword technique emanating from him was clearly powerful.
The sword and the Burning Sun's force advanced towards each other, almost colliding.
The enemies were also of considerable level. But those who had climbed here were the elite selected from the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, composed of the most powerful sects in Kangho.
This meant they were not a force any sect could easily confront.
Kwaaaang!
Finally, the sword exploded, sweeping away the enemy. Seeing this, Namgung Myung tightened his lips.
"We can do this!"
Regardless of what the enemies were seeking here, they could clearly stop them before they completed their preparations. And if they could keep obstructing them like this, they might even be able to finish off everyone hanging on the cliff.
If they succeeded, everyone who had climbed up here, and the Mount Hua Sect at the top of the cliff, might survive.
Of course, the fierce battle that the Mount Hua Sect would face above was another matter...
"If only we can achieve this."
But at that moment, something strange caught Namgung Myung's eye as he looked up.
At the line where the White Cliff met the sky, a red line began to trace. Like a small red meteor streaking across the night sky.
"What is that?"
Before he could guess what it was, it exploded in the air.
Boom!
A red light spread everywhere.
It wasn't an explosive. Though the sound was loud and shrill, it didn't have enough power to harm anyone. It was just a...
"A signal?"
No, something more fitting would be to call it a signal flare.
Everyone on the cliff saw what Namgung Myung saw. They all showed signs of confusion and vigilance about the meaning of this signal in the current situation.
The doubt was quickly resolved.
Namgung Myung saw something else. The faces of the Sun Palace followers who saw the signal were filled with an indescribable determination.
"It can't be..."
There was no time to think. The body of the Sun Palace follower in front of him began to burn in a bright red fire.
Like a self-immolating individual set ablaze, the moment he understood the meaning of the flames enveloping his body...
Namgung Myung moved without thinking.
Toc.
Instantly, he extended his hand, grabbed Namgung Dowi behind him, and with all his strength, he leapt towards the cliff.
He heard Namgung Dowi's voice, as if groaning.
"No, no."
Fwooosh!
The bodies of the Sun Palace followers were enveloped in red flames one after another.
Namgung Dowi's groan turned into a heartbreaking scream.
"Noooooooo!"
Kwaaaaaang!
The flaming bodies of the Sun Palace followers began to explode one after another. It was like a grand fireworks display announcing the end of this battle.
