Chapter 88

Chapter 87. A Desperate Move (2)

"Intruders...?"

"Then what happened to the Master of Changlong Gate?"

Whispers from the surroundings reached his ears.

It was only natural for people to react this way when unfamiliar figures emerged from Baiyang Hall. However, Seohui's gaze was drawn more to Sangcheonjang, who was surrounded by the martial artists, than to the gathered crowd.

"Leader, why is that guy here?"

Yongjin, who had approached from the side, spoke up.

He had also noticed.

The elegant attire of a nobleman.

Even if he hadn't directly confronted Jinmanzhong, he would have known about Sangcheonjang, Jinmanzhong's bodyguard, during his research.

The same would be true for the other subordinates.

- "That's fine. I have an acquaintance on that side. As always, there are people who are well-informed about the secular world, aren't there? Hehehe."

In Seohui's mind, the scattered pieces were gradually falling into place.

The luxurious silk robe. The disciple of Goo Jongmyeong. This must be the person Jinmanzhong had recruited.

In the end, the one who planned this incident is Sangcheonjang. Given the relationship between Taehwang Pavilion's master and Goo Jongmyeong, their connection is not simple.

"You scoundrel! What did you do to Master Baiyang Hall?"

A man with long tied-back hair.

Igumyeong, wearing the distinctive, elaborate robe of Huashan Sect with plum blossom patterns, shouted as he flung his sleeves.

When Seohui remained silent, Sangcheonjang, who was standing beside him, spoke.

"What did I say? It was hard to dispel my suspicions ever since you coerced Elder Jinmanzhong. In the end, they came here for the money."

'Coerced?'

Seohui's brows furrowed.

They had become the assassins who killed Baiyang Hall after coercing Jinmanzhong.

"Having the audacity to kill Master Baiyang Hall! I will not let you off easily. What are you all doing? Why aren't you blocking them?"

"Yes, sir!"

Igumyeong, showing a strong resolve as if there was no need for further words, and the Changlong Gate disciples following his command, formed a tight blockade around them.

Seohui quietly observed the situation. Now he understood how it was unfolding.

The one who had proposed the 'planned date' to them was Sangcheonjang.

He had appeared here, intentionally mentioning Jinmanzhong to stir things up.

The reason was to declare that they were not involved in this matter. And to transfer the now-dead Baiyang Hall's Changlong Gate to Igumyeong, a Huashan Sect disciple.

Through the connections of Huashan Sect and the goal of revenge, he aimed to gain both legitimacy and benefits.

"Now, you can't escape!"

At Sangcheonjang's shout, Seohui's gaze shifted to the side.

It was due to the timely appearance of a message.

['Sangcheonjang' Event has started.]

○ Mission: Eliminate Sangcheonjang.

Success: Increased combat power.

Reward: Blood Water Demon Technique Scroll

"You are rats in a trap."

Igumyeong's shout continued.

And another message appeared.

['Igumyeong' Event has started.]

○ Mission: Eliminate Igumyeong.

Success: Increased combat power.

Reward: Plum Blossom Sword Technique Scroll

'It's difficult to escape anyway.'

Seohui's brief consideration of escaping with his subordinates vanished.

Honestly, he lacked confidence, but he thought he could take at least one of them to the afterlife.

If he could just kill, he thought it was possible to use a desperate move.

The Blood Water Demon Technique Scroll was a highly coveted martial art.

A representative extreme yang martial art of the sect, it can create a wide range of flames depending on the level of mastery.

It is the origin of Taehwang Pavilion's master's Fire Warmth Demon Technique and is also a representative martial art of the sect.

'If I have it...'

However, Seohui thought that more than the Blood Water Demon Technique, it would allow him to transform his own martial arts.

He could combine martial arts to create new ones. So, what kind of martial art would result from combining Supreme Demon Technique and Blood Water Demon Technique?

'If I can get the Plum Blossom Sword Technique...'

The shock he received in the battle with Baiyang Hall.

It was a martial art that completely changed his understanding of sword techniques.

So, if he could obtain the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, he would not only be able to perform a higher-level sword technique but also deepen his understanding of sword techniques.

"Leader, what should we do?"

Yolim asked.

The faces of the subordinates were tense.

This clearly showed how dire the situation was.

"Escape."

Seohui turned his gaze.

And he spoke softly, almost to himself.

"There's no need to die pointlessly here. When I give the signal, move then."

In fact, he didn't want to use his subordinates as sacrifices in this fight.

The decision to come here was his, so the subordinates were not at fault.

However,

"Leader, what are you saying? We should fight together."

"Is there such a thing as subordinates who run away while their leader is in front?"

Seohui couldn't respond.

Yolim and Juksong laughed in disbelief and countered.

Moreover,

"I've been waiting for such a situation."

Yongjin and

"Show the power of the command team. Leader."

Even the squad leader, So-ryeong, with a determined resolve.

The squad leaders were like this, but the last response from Yumuji was

"I once wanted to live an ordinary life... but is that so easy?"

It was unexpectedly touching.

How did they end up in such a crisis after coming under his command from their master?

"I will... never forget you."

Seohui resolved.

After this fight, he would never put the squad leaders in such danger again.

Of course, to prevent that, he needed to become even stronger.

'I must take at least one.'

As Seohui made this resolve,

<Subordinates are entering combat mode. In turn-based combat, you must choose their combat style.>

'What is this?'

A new combat style appeared, surprising Seohui.

<Subordinates' combat styles are as follows:>

[Concentrated Attack]

Description: A style that ignores defense and focuses on attacking the target. The subordinates pour their maximum power into one individual.

[Individual Attack]

Description: First, protect oneself from surrounding dangers. Then, attack the enemy based on individual judgment.

[Support Attack]

Description: A style that supports Seohui from behind. Focuses on Seohui's safety unless in a critical situation.

[Free Attack]

Description: You can assign a desired task.

Seeing the new combat style, Seohui immediately understood what to do.

Concentrated Attack.

In a situation where escape was impossible, this would be the most effective.

<Who will be the target of the concentrated attack?>

▶ Sangcheonjang

▷ Igumyeong

His hesitation was brief.

Sangcheonjang is his target.

So, attacking Igumyeong was the right choice.

Subordinates' combat style <Concentrated Attack: Igumyeong>

"Understood."

"Yes."

As soon as he chose, the subordinates' expressions changed.

Seohui also felt the atmosphere shift.

Silently.

At that moment, a few men who appeared to be Changlong Gate martial artists walked out.

Given their combat power of 500,000, they were likely well-known experts in Changlong Gate.

However, that was their mistake.

[A golden opportunity! Seohui has discovered a weakness in Changlong Gate's vanguard_1. How will you respond?]

[A golden opportunity! Seohui has discovered a weakness in Changlong Gate's vanguard_2. How will you respond?]

[A golden opportunity! Seohui has discovered a weakness in Changlong Gate's vanguard_3. How will you respond?]

This sparked a brilliant idea in Seohui's mind.

'Right. I have something in my tool box that can restore stamina.'

Seohui quickly opened his tool box.

▶ Use the tool box.

He chose this and

▶ Restore

From the restoration list,

▶ Hwanseokyeongshindan

▷ 3 Golden Wound Pills

He chose the spirit medicine he hadn't used before.

As a result,

<Stamina and internal energy partially restored.>

Seohui [Commander of Yin Ying Team]

Stamina 330,000 (↑200,000)/1,200,000

Internal Energy 2,400,000 (↑110,000)/2,400,000

His stamina was restored by about a third, and his internal energy was almost fully restored.

'Is this enough?'

And again, the choice for the vanguard_2's weakness.

▶ Use the tool box.

He opened the tool box and used the Golden Wound Pills this time.

<Stamina slightly restored.>

Seohui [Commander of Yin Ying Team]

Stamina 330,000 (↑0.10,000)/1,200,000

Internal Energy 2,400,000/2,400,000

This had almost no effect. It would be better not to use it.

And finally,

The v