That’s true, if it’s a human. (1)

“Faster! Move faster!”

Geum Yangbaek urged them, pushing the elders forward while swallowing back the spurting blood from his throat.

For decades, these people had devoted their lives to martial arts, yet even keeping pace with their disciples was proving challenging.

‘Just how potent is this poison…’

Poison was inherently dangerous, but to those who had reached a certain level, it was not so terrifying.

Any poison could be expelled if one could control their body.

This was common knowledge among martial artists, a theory they were well acquainted with.

However, in this hellish battlefield, none of the familiar knowledge seemed to hold true.

While it’s said that one can control poison with their internal energy, who could possibly preserve their internal energy entirely in a battlefield where one must fight with all their might?

Moreover, in the midst of enemies throwing malicious sword energy and swinging swords, when would there be an opportunity to circulate one’s energy?

Perhaps if one reached the realm of dynamic energy cultivation while running, it could be possible, but in Haenam, no one had reached that level.

Entering the realm of dynamic energy cultivation isn’t simply about increasing your strength.

“Cough!”

“Elder Lee!”

Geum Yangbaek quickly grabbed the collapsing elder’s shoulders.

If he hadn’t grabbed him, the elder would have collapsed there, unable to rise again.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m f-f-fine… cough”

Black blood gushed from the elder’s mouth again.

Moving vigorously when the poison is circulating only exacerbates the poisoning.

But they had no other choice at the moment.

They had to endure it all and just keep running.

Geum Yangbaek gritted his teeth.

How many of them could withstand the poison?

Would they be able to wield their swords properly if the enemies overwhelmed them in this situation?

Kaaah!

At that moment, a loud noise was heard, as if metal was being scraped.

Turning around hastily, they saw a sword spinning and shooting into the air.

And next to it, someone’s head was also being propelled upward.

‘Hwasan Geomhyeop!’

Like hungry beasts rushing forward, the attackers were being blocked by Chung Myung like a solid iron wall.

Paaat!

The outstretched sword sharply sliced through the inner elbow.

As a result, the out-of-control sword slipped out of the grip of the enemy and shot into the air.

The sword, partially severing the opponent’s arm, plunged straight into the heart of one of the assailants.

“Argh…”

Thud!

The embedded sword spun around.

Before they even realized they were not dead, before they could muster any strength to try to resist, the spinning sword ruthlessly severed the vital arteries of the enemy, tearing their insides apart.

A lethal sword with no room for counterattack.

There is no waste in Chung Myung’s sword.

Yet, paradoxically, Chung Myung’s sword is also incredibly wasteful.

From the perspective of martial arts, actions like stabbing the opponent, cutting off their arm, or stabbing the heart are all useless gestures.

If delivering a quick and precise strike to the opponent’s weak spot is the ideal of martial arts, then Chung Myung’s sword is perfectly contrary to that ideal.

However, ironically, this seemingly useless waste makes Chung Myung’s sword even more efficient.

No martial arts manual of Hwasan contains such a sword, it was only Chung Myung, who was mercilessly cutting down the approaching enemies.

“Hyaaaaah!”

However, Maninbang’s warriors were formidable opponents as well.

Despite being in a state of frenzy as they approached Hwasan Geomhyeop, there was no hint of hesitation in the attackers’ movements.

Thunk!

In a moment of piercing through the chest, the one impaled instantly swung down the Dark Plum Sword embedded in their chest.

Thunk!

It was undoubtedly a foolish act.

The embedded sword, unable to overcome the weight contained within the strike, sank deeply downward.

Naturally, a severe injury occurred, where even the intervention of a divine healer would not be able to save, as internal organs were instantly severed.

Though akin to self-harm, the price paid was that the movement of Chung Myung’s sword halted momentarily.

In response, the charging enemy slammed the ground with a force that twisted his legs.

“Dieeeee!”

The sealing of the swordsman’s sword needs no explanation of its significance.

However, Chung Myung’s response surpassed their expectations.

Paah!

Chung Myung drove the lowered sword into the ground with the same momentum.

Thunk!

As the sword pierced through the body and was embedded into the ground, Chung Myung’s left hand swiftly extended like a flash and struck the handle of his sword.

Boom!

In an instant, the sword’s handle catapulted forward like a projectile, knocking away a nearby enemy.

This sudden disruption caused hesitation among Maninbang’s warriors rushing from behind.

Should they retreat? Or continue the assault?

No, the outcome would be the same regardless of their decision.

With even a momentary hesitation, their fate was sealed.

Whaaang!

The sound of tightly pulled and released elastic wood resonated, as the green-hued dense afterimages struck the attackers in succession.

Bamboo Leaf Hand [죽엽수(竹葉手) – jug-yeobsu].

Hwasan emphasized variation and illusion, while Bamboo Leaf Hand focused on sharpness and power, diverging from typical techniques of Hwasan.

This practical technique effectively halted the charging assailants.

Swiftly, Chung Myung kicked up the sword embedded in the ground and grabbed it mid-air.

Then, he thrust it forward.

Crack!

As the sword flew with incredible speed, one of the attackers hastily swung their sword downward.

Or so they attempted.

But in that moment…

Thud!

The sword, which was flying at an unbelievable speed, halted in mid-air as if defying logic.

‘What?’

The eyes of Maninbang’s warrior, who was about to swing his sword, widened in disbelief.

‘St-stop…’

But it was too late – the momentum from his swing couldn’t be stopped.

The sword, intended to block Chung Myung’s strike, veered aside gradually, as if everything in the world was moving violently except for that particular sword, frozen in time without a single motion.

And then…

Crack!

The moment when time seemed to freeze resumed its flow. The sword, frozen in mid-air, continued its motion at the same speed as when it first flew towards its target, piercing through the space where the opponent’s swing had passed through the air.

Witnessing everything vividly yet unable to do anything was an absurd situation.

Amidst all this, Chung Myung’s eyes, calm and cold, were etched into the mind of his enemy.

Crack!

As the sword pierced through the neck, a scorching sensation spread. The straight thrust turned into a horizontal slash, cleaving through the necks of other assailants who rushed forward simultaneously.

Yet, the onslaught of Maninbang did not cease even in this moment.

One sword flew towards Chung Myung’s sword, while another sword thrust towards Chung Myung’s upper body.

No matter how formidable Hwasan Geomhyeop’s swordsmanship was, there was a sense that if one could block the sword’s movement, they could somehow deal with him.

Amidst the chaos of the battle, they knew what to do, having brought down countless stronger opponents than themselves.

But Chung Myung was not an ordinary expert they had faced before.

Instead of avoiding the blows of his sword clashing against theirs, Chung Myung struck relentlessly without hesitation.

Kaaaang!

With a deafening metallic sound, the flying swords bounced back.

However, seizing the opportunity, a bursting vivid blue blade shot out towards Chung Myung’s upper body at an alarming speed.

Chung Myung swiftly threw his body back, but his retreat couldn’t match the speed of the blade surging towards him.

‘Gotcha…’

As Maninbang’s warrior was about to rejoice, Chung Myung, who had been stepping back, quickly reached out towards the blade almost touching his chest.

Thunk!

Then he grabbed the blade barehanded.

The astonished enemy’s mouth involuntarily fell open, shocked to the point where his heart felt like it might leap out of his throat.

Grabbing it with his bare hands? A sword full of internal energy?

No matter how much it seemed like something out of a legend to grab a blade with one’s bare hand, who would dare to attempt such a feat?

But there was no time to ponder further. The freed sword soared towards the neck of Maninbang’s warrior at an astonishing speed.

Swiiish!

Perhaps there was no suffering.

With a single strike, neck cleanly severed, Maninbang’s warrior collapsed forward without a struggle.

Thud!

Chung Myung kicked his body aside and swiftly extended the sword forward.

Clang! Clang!

As if forming a pair, the sword swiftly oscillated between the two flying blades.

It twisted the blades as if opening a door with both hands.

And Chung Myung’s left hand emitted a continuous crimson aura.

Reaching the pinnacle, the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand.

The crimson energy, tinged like autumn leaves, relentlessly struck the unbalanced side of Maninbang’s warrior.

“Aaargh!”

Ribs were shattered, and even the spine trembled.

Just before reaching the inevitable outcome of death from the direct hit of the Plum Blossom Scattering Hand, he summoned his last bit of strength and swung his sword.

But in that moment, something flew at lightning speed and pierced his forehead.

Thunk!

“G-gahhh….”

Thrown off balance by the dagger piercing his forehead, he couldn’t even swing his sword before crumbling.

As if anticipating this outcome, Chung Myung had already moved on to others, punching holes through the wind.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

“Aaaagh!”

Those whose throats or hearts were pierced met their end on the spot, but those with their abdomens or shoulders slashed somehow grasped onto their stubborn breath and fought back.

Chung Myung’s sword still remained extended, and has not been recovered.

Even if a sword flying from behind were to cut his throat, he was prepared to deliver this strike with determination.

However, unfortunately, Chung Myung was not the only one they had to face.

Swish!

A sword extending from near Chung Myung’s side swiftly cut the throat of the attacker rushing towards him.

Different from Chung Myung’s relentless sword, it was infinitely smooth yet simultaneously the most deadly swordsmanship.

Blood gushed from the cleanly severed carotid artery, turning the once-white blade crimson in an instant.

But Yu Iseol showed no hesitation, swiftly retracting the sword as if there was no disturbance, no such event had ever occurred.

And then, right at that moment,

“Dojaaaaaang!”

A desperate cry erupted from Tang Pae’s mouth. He had spotted something flying above their heads.

Explosives!

The cursed object that reversed Tang Pae’s poison and had poisoned all the elders of Haenam was now flying above Chung Myung’s head.

If that thing were to explode, even Chung Myung…

But in that moment, Tang Pae saw it.

As if countless red petals bloomed like an illusion, stretching out like fireworks to embrace and surround the bomb gently.

“Ah….”

Caught up in the dreamlike spectacle, Tang Pae momentarily forgot all reality and circumstances, letting out a gasp of awe.

But it was Chung Myung’s indifferent voice that brought him back to reality.

“Sorry, but…”

Tang Pae’s gaze momentarily fixated on Chung Myung. Though only seeing his back, he felt he knew.

He could almost guess what expression Chung Myung wore now.

“I won’t accept gifts from Sapa.”

Pow!

The bomb, wrapped in plum blossom petals, rebounded off the sword energy even faster than it flew towards them.

As the bomb soared above their heads, Maninbang’s warriors were startled, their eyes widening in surprise.

And then.

Kwaaaang!

A massive explosion erupted.

Previously swarming them like ants, Maninbang’s warriors were torn apart in all directions.