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Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince Chapter 305: Path of Justice (3)

Chapter 305: Path of Justice (3)

The‌⁠‍ leader of the⁠​‌ Murim Alliance, Jang‌​​ Yeonghak, and the​​ leader of the‍ Black Assassin Division,‍​ Ma Gunak, were​​‌ engaged in a fierce battle.

All‌ the Murim warriors‍ watched the scene,‌ holding their breath.⁠

It​ was a fight‍ between masters so⁠‌⁠ great that it⁠‍‌ would be hard‌‍​ to witness something⁠⁠ like it again.‍⁠‌

“Kgh,⁠​ this old man⁠ is better than​ I thought!”

Ma‍ Gunak had started‌‍‌ out confident, but​ little by little,​⁠⁠ the advantage was‌‌⁠ tilting toward Jang‌‌‍ Yeonghak.

In‍‌‍ a way, it‌‍ was only natural.⁠‌‍

Ma‍⁠‍ Gunak was nothing‌‌⁠ more than the​‌ second-in-command of the​‍‌ Demonic Sect, while‌‍ Jang Yeonghak was‌​‌ the leader of‍ the orthodox faction‌‍​ who could rival‍​‍ the Heavenly Demon⁠ Dan Socheon himself—or⁠‍ perhaps even surpass‌‍⁠ him.

The‍‍‍ martial arts he​‌‍ had cultivated over⁠⁠​ the years were‌ beyond anything Ma​ Gunak could have‍ anticipated.

“Dam…‌ damn it…”

Ma‌ Gunak concentrated his‍ demonic energy, dyeing‌⁠ his entire body⁠‌ red, and unleashed​ his killing move​‌ with all his‍‌ strength.

“Die!”⁠‍

In​​‍ contrast, Jang Yeonghak,‌ with only a sword in hand,‍ moved as if‌ he were out‌ for a stroll,⁠‍ the folds of‍⁠ his robe fluttering.​‍

With​​⁠ steps that naturally‌ covered the trajectories​‍​ of the eight‍⁠​ directions, he caused​ all of Ma‌⁠ Gunak’s attacks to⁠‍ miss.

“It’s‍ time to end​ this.”

Murmuring​​ in a low‌ voice, Jang Yeonghak​‍ raised his sword.‌⁠‍

Luminous⁠⁠‌ Sword of Taiji.‌

The​⁠ sword energy, imbued​ with light, rose​ imposingly.

“Dam…⁠‍ damn it.”

Ma⁠‌ Gunak clenched his⁠‌ teeth.

One‍ glance was enough‍‍‍ to know—this sword‍‌ could not be⁠ blocked. The martial​⁠ level Jang Yeonghak‌ had reached was⁠‍ clearly superior.

Ma‍‌‌ Gunak shouted desperately.‌

“Help‍⁠⁠ me!”

In​‍ the world of​ Murim, receiving help⁠ in a one-on-one⁠‍ duel for honor‌‌⁠ was a disgraceful‍‌​ shame never accepted.​​ But Ma Gunak​‍‍ felt not the​ slightest bit of‍⁠ shame.

The⁠ leaders of each‌‌ division of the‍‌ Demonic Sect, as⁠‌‍ if they had‍⁠‍ been waiting for​‍ it, attacked Jang‍​ Yeonghak all at⁠ once.

“What…!”​​‌

The‍‍‌ Murim Alliance warriors⁠​ were startled.

But‌⁠‌ it was already‍ too late to⁠​​ block the combined​⁠​ attack.

After‍ a long era‍​‌ of peace, the⁠ Murim Alliance had,⁠‍ for a moment,​​ forgotten what the‍​ Demonic Sect represented.​​‌

A flash of surprise‍‌​ crossed Jang Yeonghak’s‌⁠‍ eyes.

Facing‍​ Ma Gunak alone​⁠⁠ was already complicated,⁠​ and now, with​ several attacking at‍⁠ the same time,‍ there was no‌‍ other choice.

“This​ is…”

The‌ moment when life​⁠‌ and death are​‌ decided comes unexpectedly.‌⁠ Just as he‌ was about to‌‌​ unleash his final​⁠​ technique, prepared to‌‌ die—

Suddenly.​⁠​

[Enjoying‍​ the dance…]

A voice was heard.‍​‌

It⁠ was strange.

It​ was the first‍‌⁠ time he had‌‍ heard that language,​⁠ yet he understood​‍⁠ its meaning.

[Stop‍‍​ right now.]

The⁠​‌ moment those words‌ ended—

[Power‍⁠ of the Voice‍ of Authority — Stop]

The‌​ world stopped.

Jang‍​ Yeonghak was astonished.‍‍⁠

Literally,‌‍ everything had stopped.‌‌⁠

His‌​ circulating internal energy,‍​⁠ his sword advancing.​⁠​

The⁠ enemy figures suspended‍ in the air.​⁠

The​ entire body of​⁠‌ Ma Gunak, his‍ face twisted, before​ him.

Everything‍​‍ froze.

In‌​​ that instant, his‍​ entire field of‍⁠​ vision became a still painting.

[Fights​​ should be done‌ with fairness. Tsk⁠‌⁠ tsk…]

Even‍ though it was‍‍ an unfamiliar language,​ his mind understood‍ the meaning with⁠‍ perfect clarity.

Jang‌ Yeonghak suddenly recalled⁠‍ a technique spoken⁠‌ of only in‍​‍ legends.

Language‌ of the Luminous⁠ Heart.

He‌ felt his heart‌​ calm.

The⁠⁠ Language of the​ Luminous Heart was⁠ a state that⁠‍ neither demonic magic​ nor forbidden arts‌‌ could reach.

This​‌ meant that the‍ mysterious person who‍⁠ had saved him‌‍ walked the path⁠‌⁠ of righteousness.

Upon‍​⁠ understanding this, he⁠⁠‍ was no longer‍‍ bound by the‌​ Voice of Authority.​​​

Jang⁠ Yeonghak straightened and⁠‍ stood up.

[Hooh…]​‌

Turning‍ around, he saw‍​ a red-haired woman‍ standing there. Jang​⁠ Yeonghak brought his‌⁠ hands together in‍ a gesture of‌‌ respect.

“I⁠⁠ am Jang Yeonghak,‍‍ leader of the⁠⁠ Murim Alliance. I thank the noble‌‍ who has saved​​ me.”

[Oh,⁠‌⁠ so you’re a decent person. Here,​ people no longer​ have the manners‍ they once did,‍‍ but it seems‌​⁠ that in the‌ East, courtesy and⁠ honor still survive…]​⁠

The‌‍ mysterious savior, Cruar,‍‌‍ smiled in satisfaction‌‍‌ and continued.

[If​​‍ you’re grateful, you‌ should return the‌ favor.]

“Pardon?”‍

[Eastern‌‍‍ human, do you‍‍ see that?]

Cruar‌‍‌ pointed toward the‌⁠​ northern sky. The​ blue sky stretched‍​​ out, but that‌‍⁠ wasn’t all.

She‍‍‍ was pointing at‌⁠ something beyond it.​⁠

Jang​‍⁠ Yeonghak understood what​‍⁠ she meant.

“Yes.‌ I see it.”‍‌

[Then​ you know why‌‍ you’ve come here.]​‍⁠

“I​⁠⁠ came to put​​⁠ an end to‌ the Demonic Sect…”​

[Do‌‍‍ you really think​ it’s just for‍​ that?]

Jang​⁠ Yeonghak remained silent.‌

Officially,⁠​ he had come‌⁠ to eliminate the‌‍⁠ Demonic Sect, which​ was plotting conspiracies‍‍ in the West.‍

But⁠‌ it wasn’t just‌​ that.

As‌⁠​ the leader of⁠ the Murim Alliance,​ leaving the East‌‍ solely based on⁠‍ the words of‍ a few Westerners‌‍ had been a risky decision.

However,⁠ after facing a Western swordsman, he​ felt a strange⁠‌ hunch that pushed‌‌⁠ him to continue​ with the expedition.​⁠

Upon⁠ arriving in the​‌⁠ West, that hunch​ turned into certainty.⁠‍

In‍ this land, there‍⁠ was something far​​‌ more evil than​‌ the Demonic Sect,​⁠ growing in power.‌⁠⁠

Something‌⁠ so vast and⁠‍​ powerful that it⁠ was difficult to‍‍‍ even conceive of​‍​ it.

He⁠‌ had always thought‌⁠⁠ that he and‌ the Murim Alliance⁠ represented the peak‍‌ of martial arts.‌‌​

But‌ that Western swordsman⁠ and the rending‍‍ star in the‍‍⁠ sky had made⁠ him realize he‍⁠​ was nothing more⁠ than a man‌ confined to the‌⁠⁠ East.

Then,​ fear came first.‍ He did not‌​ care about his‍ own life, but⁠ the lives of‌ the many warriors‌⁠⁠ he had brought​⁠ weighed heavily.

Could‍ he order them‍‌ to fight in‍‌⁠ this war?

“I…”​⁠

Hesitating,‍ Cruar asked again.​‌

[Will‌‍‍ you fight against⁠‌⁠ that star that​‍ rends the sky?]‌‌

“…”‌‍

[If​⁠ it’s hard for‌ you to answer,⁠‍ I’ll ask another‌ question.]

Cruar⁠​ pointed to the‍ flag of the⁠​‍ Murim Alliance.

[Destroy​‍‍ evil and defend‌ justice, even at​ the cost of​ life.]

Her‍⁠ vertical pupils locked⁠‌​ on him.

[Do‌ you believe in‌⁠ those words?]

The​⁠ answer came from‌‌‌ elsewhere.

“That’s​⁠ right!”

Jang‌​⁠ Yeonghak turned and​ saw the eccentric‍‍‍ monk Jonggak, known‍‌ as the Strange‌‍ Hero of Shaolin,‍ grinning mischievously.

“That’s‍‍⁠ what I came‍⁠ for!”

When​‍ Jonggak, who rarely‌⁠‌ involved himself in‌⁠ the Alliance’s affairs,​ appeared saying he​‌ would join the‌‍⁠ expedition, Jang Yeonghak‍‌‍ thought it was‍‌ just another of⁠⁠ his eccentricities.

But​‍⁠ no. Jonggak had‌ already sensed that⁠ the heavenly order‍ was twisted.

The‍⁠​ responses followed.

“Of​‌​ course!”

“I’ll‍ go!”

“We’ll‌‌ destroy evil!”

The‍‍​ brave warriors who​‍ heard the conversation⁠‍‌ raised their voices⁠ one after another.‍‌⁠

Jang‌⁠‌ Yeonghak was moved.⁠⁠​

Some​ said the Murim​​‌ Alliance was a rotten group after‌​ years of stagnation,‌‌ but there were​ still many heroes‍‌‍ who understood justice.‌‌‍

“Sahyung!⁠ What are you‌⁠ waiting for?”

His​‍ fellow apprentice and‍⁠‍ Guardian of the​ Alliance, Supreme Sword​​‌ of Wudang Woo⁠‍ Seong, shouted, and⁠ Jang Yeonghak nodded.‌

“That’s​ right.”

He‌ pointed behind him.‌‍

There‍‍‍ fluttered the Flag​ of the Righteous‍‍​ Path, the symbol‍‌ of the Alliance​‌ leader.

“That‌​​ is my answer.”​‌

Cruar​‌ smiled in satisfaction.⁠

[I​⁠​ knew I wasn’t​⁠ wrong about you.‍⁠⁠ Then, first, take​ care of those.]‍⁠

Now,​ the warriors of⁠⁠​ the Alliance could‌ move freely.

The⁠⁠ warriors of the‌‍⁠ Demonic Sect, though⁠​​ they had managed​⁠⁠ to free themselves⁠⁠⁠ a little from‌​‌ the restriction, were‍‌‌ already doomed.

The‌‌⁠ slaughter began.

The‌‍‌ swords of the‍⁠‌ Murim Alliance were⁠ dyed in blood.‍‌⁠

In‌‌ no time, all‍‍ the demonic ones‌⁠ lay dead.

The⁠‌‍ long-awaited mission to⁠​ destroy the Demonic‍ Sect was fulfilled​‌⁠ in an almost⁠ anticlimactic fashion.

But‍‌ no one smiled.⁠​

There⁠⁠ was still work​ to be done.⁠

[Well​ done.]

Cruar,‍ who was watching⁠​ them, spread both‍‍‌ arms.

[Now‍ it’s my turn.]‌

Her‍‍‌ body began to​‌ emit a blinding⁠⁠ light.

“Ah…!”‌

When⁠​ the light faded,​‌ there was no⁠ beautiful woman, but​ a majestic, legendary‍⁠​ dragon.

“This⁠‌ is…”

Cruar,‍‍ now in her‍ true form, spread⁠‍ her wings.

[Did‍ you say ‘Path‌‍ of Justice’? Good​‌‌ words. I will‍‌⁠ open the road​‌ you must follow.]‌​​

From​ her mouth came‌ the Dragon Language‌‌ once more:

[Power⁠⁠‌ of the Voice‍ of Authority — Path.]

Then,‍⁠‍ a path made⁠​⁠ of light appeared.‌

Everything​‌⁠ around gave way—the‍​‍ earth folded, the‌‍‍ rivers stopped, the⁠‍ mountains and forests‌⁠⁠ bowed to let‍ it through.

On‍ that path, one‌⁠ step equaled ten.‌⁠

Before​⁠‍ that miracle, the⁠‌‌ Murim Alliance could‍​‌ only bow in‍ respect.

[The‍‍‍ path is open.⁠⁠​ Now advance and‌ fulfill your mission.]‍‍

There​ was no need⁠‌​ to respond.

The‍​⁠ flag waved, and‍​⁠ they marched north,⁠‍ toward the Empire.⁠⁠

***‌

“That’s‍‌‌ how it was.”​⁠​

“I⁠​ see…”

Yuri,‌ who had met‌‌ Bernard after a long time, had​⁠‍ no time to‍​ express joy before⁠⁠ they began to​‌ talk about what⁠‌ had happened so​ far.

The‍‌‌ army that had⁠​ appeared suddenly turned​ out to be‌ an ally from​​‍ the East.

“So‍​​ Lord Cruar helped​ you…”

“Yes.​​ Thanks to that,⁠‌‌ we could get‍‍​ here quickly.”

“And​ Elaine?”

“She‍ split off in​ Sidor. On the​ battlefield, there was‍ nothing she could⁠‍ do.”

“Well​⁠ done.”

Once⁠⁠ the situation assessment⁠‌ was over, Yuri‍‌⁠ went with Cheongun‌‍ to meet the‍ so-called leader of⁠‍​ the Murim Alliance.​‌‍

This‌​ was a warrior‌ with completely white‍​‍ hair who, despite‌ the wrinkles on‍ his face, had‌​‌ a body so⁠ robust that he‌‍⁠ did not give⁠ off the slightest‌ sense of old‍⁠‌ age.

The‌‌⁠ two observed each‍​ other for a while.

‘Not⁠⁠ an ordinary old‌‍‌ man.’

That‍ was Yuri’s impression.​‍​

Having‌‍ met all kinds‌​‍ of great masters,​⁠ meeting the leader⁠​‍ of the Murim‌‌​ Alliance did not⁠ leave an extraordinary‌⁠ impression on him.‌‌

On‌‌‌ the other hand,⁠‌⁠ Jang Yeonghak was⁠‍⁠ frankly astonished.

‘It‌‍‌ can’t be… How‍​ can he have⁠ this energy at​​‍ his age? Has‌​‌ he perhaps reached​ the legendary level​⁠⁠ of rejuvenation?’

However,‍⁠ he did not‍⁠‍ let his emotions‍ show.

Through​‌ Cheongun’s interpretation, the⁠⁠ two began to‌ converse.

The⁠ dialogue was brief.​⁠​

Beyond⁠‍‌ that wall was​ their true enemy,​​‌ and to catch‌​ him, they had‌​ to cross it.‍⁠‍

But⁠‌ since the defense​ was very strong,⁠⁠ anyone without enough⁠⁠​ skill would die‍ in vain; therefore,​ they had to​‌ gather a small⁠​ elite group to​ bring down the‌⁠⁠ wall.

Yuri‌⁠‍ presented this idea,​ and Jang Yeonghak⁠ agreed immediately. Both⁠​⁠ made the decision​ quickly and shook⁠‌​ hands.

Before⁠‌‌ leaving, Jang Yeonghak‌‍‍ said a few‌ more words.

Cheongun‌⁠ translated.

“He‍‍⁠ says that when‌ this war is​‌‌ over, he wants⁠ to meet you‌‍​ again to become​ friends.”

It⁠ was a way‌‍‍ of saying that,‌‌‍ although the situation‍ was urgent now,​‍​ he wished to‌ connect with Yuri‍ once everything was⁠ over.

Yuri‍⁠ smiled broadly.

“Tell‌‌ him that if‍​​ we all survive,​ I will gladly‌ do so.”

Cheongun⁠ conveyed something in​ the Eastern language,⁠‌​ and Jang Yeonghak,‌ smiling, made a martial salute before‍ leaving.

Cheongun‌ commented.

“The⁠‌⁠ leader of the⁠​ Murim Alliance doesn’t‌‍ say something like​‌ that to anyone⁠⁠​ else in this‌ world, except you.‍‌‌ It’s admirable.”

“A⁠⁠⁠ master recognizes another.‍ But by the⁠‍ way…”

Yuri⁠ patted him on‍ the shoulder.

“Cheongun,​​ don’t you have‍​⁠ something to talk​ about with your​​‍ master Moyongchan?”

Yuri​ knew they both‍​ belonged to the‍​​ Blue School sect.‌‌

It​⁠ was a strange⁠ coincidence.

Disillusioned⁠​ with Eastern Murim,‌ Moyongchan had left​‍ his sect to⁠⁠⁠ dedicate himself to​‍ eradicating demons.

The⁠ disciples who remained‍‌ in the Blue‌​‌ School tried to‍‌‌ resist, but in‍ the end, they‍​⁠ had to disperse.​​

As​ a result, Cheongun⁠⁠ became a wandering‌‍‌ ronin.

“Something⁠‍‌ to talk about…?”⁠

He​ hesitated for a moment.

“I⁠⁠‌ don’t know… that…”⁠

Then‍ Yuri noticed they‍​ had a visitor.​‌‌

“Cheongun.”‍⁠​

“Yes?”⁠‍​

“The⁠ rest of the​⁠ conversation, talk it‍ out with him.”‌‍​

The‍ person in question‌⁠⁠ was Moyongchan.

Cheongun,⁠‍ surprised, froze, and‍⁠‌ Yuri withdrew immediately.‌

It⁠ was a matter⁠⁠ they had to‍‌​ resolve on their‍‍ own.

Even‌‌‍ if they didn’t​‍‌ resolve it, it‌⁠ wouldn’t change what​‌ needed to be‍ done.

Yuri‍ moved ahead to‌ the front of‌ the Anti-Imperial Alliance,⁠​ where Francesco and‌‍ the others were⁠ already waiting for​‍ him.

Jared‌‌⁠ asked,

“How​‍ was the conversation‍‍‍ with the East?”⁠

“It⁠​ went smoothly. We⁠ spoke well.”

“I’m⁠ glad to hear‍​​ that.”

Yuri‍⁠⁠ glanced sideways.

It​‍ seemed that in​ the East, they​⁠ had also organized‍ quickly, for it‌ was not long‌‍ before the experts‌​⁠ of the Murim‌ Alliance appeared.

“We⁠ have the same‍ number as them.”‌⁠‍

In⁠ the Anti-Imperial Alliance,⁠⁠​ counting the newly‍‍‌ arrived Bernard, there​‍ were nine in‍‍‍ total.

The⁠⁠ experts sent by‌ the Murim Alliance,​‌​ including their leader,​​‍ also numbered nine.⁠​

Eighteen⁠⁠ in total.

Double‍ the strength from‍​⁠ the beginning.

“We’ll‍ have to thank⁠‍ Lady Cruar.”

Without‌​‍ her, the Eastern⁠‌‌ forces would not‍⁠ have arrived at‌‌​ the Empire so‍ soon.

Soon,⁠‌ Moyongchan returned.

Everything‌ was ready.

“Did‌ the conversation go‍​‌ well?”

“It⁠‍ doesn’t matter.”

His‍ reply was brusque,​⁠‍ but his expression​⁠ showed relief.

Yuri‍‌‍ asked him playfully,⁠

“Now‌ that I think‌​​ about it, Moyongchan,‍⁠ shouldn’t you join⁠ them? Easterners with‌‍ Easterners.”

“No,‌ I like it⁠⁠‌ here.”

“Really?”⁠‍

“Yes.”⁠

“Perfect.”‌‍‍

Yuri⁠ smiled.

“Let’s​ go. We don’t⁠ have much time,⁠ let’s move quickly.”‍

The⁠ warriors from two‌‌‍ different continents began⁠‌⁠ advancing together toward‍⁠ the wall.

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