Chapter 30: A Companion to Watch My Back

Why is a many-against-one battle difficult?

This should be judged by looking at long-term and short-term battles separately.

The reason the one in a long-term battle is in trouble is usually a matter of stamina, internal energy, and mental strength.

When eight or more people fight against one person, it eventually takes the form of a wheel battle, whether desired or not.

The reason is that there is a limit to the directions from which one can attack.

Inevitably, those belonging to the many will have a chance to catch their breath when their turn to attack is over.

The distribution of stamina and internal energy becomes easier.

Also, since the probability of the opponent’s attack being directed at them is significantly reduced, the tension and mental fatigue will also be less.

Then what about the one who faces the many?

One must constantly be on guard against the opponent’s attacks, which can come from anywhere at any time, and continuously block the simultaneously flying attacks to prevent the unfortunate event of a weapon piercing one’s body.

No matter how skilled a swordsman one is, one is bound to get mentally and physically exhausted.

But this is also not a common occurrence.

As everyone knows, it is because it is not easy to drag a many-against-one battle into a long-term one unless one has overwhelming capabilities.

Therefore, most many-against-one battles end up being short-term battles.

The reason why it is most difficult for the one to face the many in a short-term many-against-one battle is also ‘direction.’

Typically, a joint attack formation where the many face the one assumes eight directions.

The four directions and the four corners make up the eight directions.

With attacks rushing in simultaneously from east, west, south, north, northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest, it is not easy to block all these attacks with a single weapon.

In particular, most martial artists are bound to be vulnerable to the attack routes of the south, southeast, and southwest, which can be called the rear.

No matter how outstanding one’s senses are, one does not have eyes on the back of one’s head.

This level of a joint attack formation can be said to be basic in a fight between skilled martial artists who have formed a sect, let alone a street brawl.

This is why a group is strong.

Then how can this be broken?

The easiest answer is for the one to increase its number.

“Brother Chun-baek, have you warmed up a bit?”

“I’ve already warmed up long ago.”

Lee Chun-baek and I were proving that fact with our bodies.

We, who had jumped into the center of the Heuksu Mun members, were fighting back-to-back.

Although one had just become two, this was causing a very significant change.

By completely entrusting our backs to a trusted companion, we had blocked the attack routes of the most vulnerable south, southeast, and southwest directions.

And…….

“Die!”

Chaeng!

Puk!

“Keuak!”

The Heuksu Mun member who was rushing from the east blocked my sword but was struck by Lee Chun-baek’s sword, which was shot almost simultaneously, and was sent flying.

East and west are within the reach of both my and Lee Chun-baek’s swords, who are fighting back-to-back, so they can be called a death zone.

The Heuksu Mun members who realized that fact slowly moved to the side directions.

The fact that a many-against-one had transformed into a ‘many-against-two’ had reduced the directions from which I was being attacked from eight to three.

This would be called the magic of joint attacks, and it is the reason why from two onwards, it can be called a group.

“Save your strength.”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

At my answer, Lee Chun-baek chuckled and focused on his sword.

Sword qi or Sword Thread are not all-powerful finishing moves.

The reason is that the consumption of internal energy and stamina is extreme.

Therefore, Lee Chun-baek and I were facing the enemies solely with the strength of our bodies and weapons.

Of course, since our martial prowess was far superior to that of the opponents, the enemies were getting injured one by one and pulling back.

Furthermore…….

Changkang!

Even though I had not imbued it with sword qi, the sword of the Heuksu Mun member that clashed with my Dancheon Sword was shattered without exception.

Indeed, the name of the Heavenly Artisan’s posthumous work is not wasted.

Despite my and Lee Chun-baek’s struggle, the battle did not stop.

Although it was a small sect, since we were facing a whole sect, their numbers were not small.

“Hoo-”

Although I had broken the opponent’s spirit through an initial overwhelming display, as expected, it was not very effective.

The reason was that the Heuksu Mun members, regardless of their comrades falling, rushed at us again with venomous eyes.

“Permission to use the forbidden art is granted!”

As the leader’s order fell, the atmosphere changed drastically once again.

Just as Ma Yu-han had done, a black haze began to rise from the bodies of the Heuksu Mun members.

The members of the Heuksu Mun had each manifested the demonic arts they had learned.

Seeing them use the expression ‘forbidden art’ instead of ‘demonic art’ even in this situation, I could somewhat understand the reason why the Heuksu Mun was able to hide its secret and establish itself for a long period of a hundred years.

If Ma Yu-han had not been an idiot.

No, if I had not regressed, I would never have been able to find out that they were spies of the Demonic Cult.

Anyway, now, that secret was completely broken.

Since it had been revealed that the entire Heuksu Mun were spies of the Demonic Cult, if they did not eliminate us, they were as good as dead, so there was no longer a reason to hide.

Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng!

“Die!”

Peok!

“Be careful.”

Lee Chun-baek blocked the sword of a Heuksu Mun member who was aiming for my opening with a kick.

“Thank you.”

In fact, since my body had reached the state of being invulnerable to swords with the Second Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, it was not a crisis, but a secret is a life-saving last resort that will protect my body someday.

Perhaps the fact that I had saved my life once thanks to Lee Chun-baek would not change.

“Die!”

Chaeng! Chaeng!

As the Heuksu Mun members, who had been hiding their true abilities until now, brought out everything, the aspect of the battle became much more fierce.

The Heuksu Mun, which had unleashed its demonic arts, was lightly surpassing the strength of a small sect.

But wasn't this also something I had expected to some extent?

“Are you holding up?”

“Still.”

Lee Chun-baek was still composed.

Seeing him, the tension that had unknowingly stiffened my body was released.

“Then keep up the good work.”

“You too, Brother Chun-baek.”

Lee Chun-baek and I calmly dealt with them one by one.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

I know that the way to win against a large number is to eliminate the enemies in front of me one by one.

Changkang!

I broke another Heuksu Mun member's sword.

“I’m finally starting to warm up.”

I did not forget to show my spirit even in a difficult situation.

Chaeng!

“If you have time to say that, swing your sword one more time.”

Kagagak.

“Didn’t you just open your mouth too, Brother Chun-baek?”

Peok!

“This is different.”

With a reliable companion, the path did not feel long.

It is said that when a mature martial artist reaches a state of no-self or no-thought, no-mind, enlightenment suddenly comes, and they achieve a great accomplishment in martial arts.

Then when does this no-self come?

Or how does one find it?

There were two methods widely known in the Jianghu, and they were circulating energy and a fierce life-and-death duel.

It means that the story of a martial artist gaining enlightenment and rising in realm during a life-and-death duel is not just a rumor.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

In the tense life-and-death duel I was fighting for the first time in my life, I was immersed in no-self.

The mysteries of the Dancheon Sword Art, which had already become completely mine, blossomed at the tip of my sword.

Chaeng. Seogeok. Pat. Peok. Hwik.

I blocked a sword, cut an enemy, kicked if my sword was not enough, and in the meantime, I twisted my body to dodge the enemy’s sword.

It is not something I am consciously doing.

Martial arts became me, and I became martial arts.

My heaving chest calmed down, and the joints that had been creaking from the violent movements did not hurt.

My body moved as I wanted, and my sword headed to where my heart reached.

Perhaps it was only now that I had reached a complete state of Heart as Action for the first time.

After an unknown amount of time, what I saw after coming out of no-self were the numerous members of the Heuksu Mun lying on the ground.

And…….

“What have you done to my son?”

There was the sect leader of the Heuksu Mun with bloodshot eyes.

“I killed him.”

I answered plainly.

As I have said repeatedly, there is no reason to tell them the truth.

“Then let’s go together.”

As if he had unleashed his latent potential, the sect leader of the Heuksu Mun’s eyes were dyed red.

Perhaps the demonic art he had learned was unusual, as I could also see the densest demonic energy I had ever seen overflowing from his body.

“Die!”

The sect leader of the Heuksu Mun rushed at me like a raging wave.

But there is something you should know.

That is the fact that martial arts do not become stronger just because one’s strength increases or internal energy is amplified.

Seogeok.

The Dancheon Sword cut through the neck of the sect leader of the Heuksu Mun.

Since a fragment of no-self still remained at my fingertips, my current movements could be described as one level above the Transcendent Peak Dancheon Myeong.

“May you attain Buddhahood.”

Thud.

As soon as my words ended, the body of the sect leader of the Heuksu Mun collapsed.

Sreung.

I sheathed the Dancheon Sword and composed my mind.

I could not miss the beginning of enlightenment.

My gaze turned to the corpse of the sect leader of the Heuksu Mun.

I have no grudge against you.

But I cannot forgive the spies of the Demonic Cult.

Because I will not allow the Great War of Righteousness and Evil in this world again.

I hope you will accept that you just had bad luck and returned to the afterlife a little early.

I swallowed those thoughts.

“Good work.”

Lee Chun-baek, with a refreshed face, patted my shoulder.

There were no more members of the Heuksu Mun standing on their own two feet.

Gathering information and finding hidden items are not that different.

What I mean is that I also have a knack for finding hidden items.

“As expected.”

When I searched for a place where a secret space might be in the sect leader’s hall, a secret safe appeared.

Seogeok.

When I cut the door of the safe with the Dancheon Sword imbued with sword qi, a box with a luxurious appearance revealed itself.

The psychology of people who hide precious items is all the same, so if one has a little understanding of people, this is not that difficult a task.

Ttalkkak.

When I opened the box, the fragrant scent of Fleeceflower Root wafted out.

It was the same as when I first discovered the Immaculate Pomegranate.

Although I had never seen a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root before, I had a strong conviction that this was definitely a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root.

I closed the box again and stored it in my bosom.

“What is that?”

Lee Chun-baek, who had entered late, asked me.

“It’s a precious item.”

At the same time as my answer, a commotion arose outside the Heuksu Mun.

They had arrived just in time.

“You bastards! Don’t move!”

Jao-gae of the Beggar’s Gang rushed into the Heuksu Mun with the martial artists of the Shanxi branch of the Murim Alliance.

“You subdued all of them by yourselves?”

A giant man carrying a large saber reaching six feet asked me.

I know who this person is.

“That’s right.”

The general branch manager of the Shanxi branch of the Murim Alliance, the Unrestrained Saber Peng Ga-heon.

Since no large sect had settled in Shanxi since ancient times, a key figure was dispatched from the adjacent Hebei to the Shanxi branch of the Murim Alliance.

No matter how much it was a matter related to the spies of the Demonic Cult, I did not know that such a big shot would suddenly appear.

Managing a branch of the Murim Alliance means that he is a renowned master of the Jianghu.

In fact, Peng Ga-heon was a master of the State of Harmony that the Hebei Peng Clan, one of the five great clans, was proud of.

In other words, it means that I could not not know him because he was a master who had proudly listed his name in the Thousand Immortals of the Jianghu.

“I greet Great Hero Peng Ga-heon. I am Myeong of the Dancheon Clan, a debutant in the Jianghu.”

I made a clasped hands greeting and acknowledged him.

“Ho? You know me?”

“How could I not know when the prestige of the Unrestrained Saber is widely spread in the Central Plains?”

Since ancient times, hasn't the Jianghu Murim been a place where people live and die for honor?

There is no martial artist who would dislike a rising star who recognizes them.

“Hoho, the Dancheon Clan has raised their child very well. I have also heard of the reputation of Severing Dragon.”

It is rare for a senior master to acknowledge a junior master first.

Although the culture of the Jianghu is like that, I cannot deny that it is a matter of pride.

Since I treated him first, he is also treating me well.

“Thank you.”

This could be described as a very good start to a relationship.

But…….

“But why did you do that?”

“Pardon?”

“Why didn’t you wait for us and attacked them first?”

I cannot be careless just because his attitude is favorable.

The reason is that although Peng Ga-heon has the magnanimous appearance typical of the Peng Clan, he is a person one should not be careless around.

The reason is that I know full well that Peng Ga-heon’s nickname is ‘Fox Bear.’