The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family

Chapter 205 —

Unexpected situations are always welcome.

Breaking through the formation wasn’t that hard—because Murong Jungcheon’s traces still remained, showing the path he had taken.

Just by following them, I was able to slip out smoothly and soon found what looked like their secret hideout.

“What the hell is this place?”

“Cover your face. If we’re discovered, it will be serious trouble.”

At my words, Cheon Yul frowned.

But since he couldn’t find anything suitable to hide his face, he simply tore his own shirt without hesitation and made a mask out of it.

Watching that, I quickly scanned the surroundings.

A few tall trees stood nearby.

Suppressing all traces of presence, I leapt up to the highest point in one swift motion.

From the treetop, the entire hall came into view.

And the first thing I saw—was none other than Murong Jungcheon.

It seemed I had made it in time. Judging by his movements, he had only just entered the hall himself.

He didn’t notice me. That meant he was distracted by something else.

What could it be?

As I narrowed my eyes and observed carefully—

I saw a familiar figure.

“Auk?”

Auk, the Protector of the Divine Sect. He was someone who only moved when following the will of their god.

But if he was here… did that mean he had become the new leader of the Divine Sect?

Impossible.

I continued watching the strange scene.

Then suddenly, everyone bowed low as Auk opened a small wooden box in his hands.

Inside, I saw it.

A pure white curved jewel (Gokok), glowing faintly.

The moment I saw that light, I instantly understood the situation.

“…!”

Quickly climbing down the tree, I turned to Cheon Yul.

“Do you have smoke bombs?”

“Smoke bombs? Yeah, I do. Things like that can be useful in emergencies. Want one?”

Cheon Yul pulled a small round object from his robes and handed it to me.

I wasn’t sure how it worked, but judging from his confident expression, it was likely a special tool made by Sadocheon.

“But what are you going to use it for?”

“There’s no time to explain. Just create a distraction a little distance away—make them look away. I’ll do the rest.”

“So what exactly—”

“Just do as I say.”

My sharp tone made him shiver. Startled, Cheon Yul nodded and quickly leapt off with his blade.

I pressed close against the wall, thinking hard.

There was no doubt about it—the jewel was real.

Auk had it, and Murong Jungcheon was clearly here to seize it. From that alone, I could guess who the next leader of the sect might be.

Unconsciously, I smirked.

“He should’ve been satisfied with the title of Sword Emperor… greedy bastard.”

I pulled out a mask and put it on.

And then—

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion rang out, clouds of dust rising.

Using that moment, I vaulted over the wall.

From a distance, I saw Murong Jungcheon and Auk staring in shock at the place Cheon Yul had struck.

I gathered all my strength into my legs and dashed forward.

The two noticed me and gasped in alarm. Without hesitation, I drew my sword and unleashed sword energy to create an opening between them.

Swoosh!

My blade cut through the air, forcing both men to retreat half a step, their eyes wide with shock.

I didn’t waste the chance.

My sword slashed toward Auk, aiming at his throat. Startled, he twisted his head to avoid it—

But the sword’s path changed, striking instead at the wooden box.

Clang!

The blade skillfully flicked the jewel into the air, and I snatched it in my hand.

“No—!”

Murong Jungcheon’s furious roar split the night.

His sword barely missed me as I leapt back, his grasp tearing through empty air.

I couldn’t help but smile.

At the same time—

PFFFT—!

Cheon Yul’s smoke bomb burst on the ground, filling the area with black smoke.

In the dead of night, the smoke blinded them completely.

“Grrk?!”

I heard swords being drawn, but by then I had already leapt over the wall and sped away with lightfoot technique.

“After them—!”

Auk’s shout rang out, followed by Murong Jungcheon’s blade tearing through the smoke with a deafening blast.

BOOM!

The shockwave blew away the smoke—and even shattered the wall.

Through the gap, countless warriors of the Divine Sect poured out.

“What the hell?! Who are they?!”

“Don’t think about it. Just run—unless you want to die.”

At my stern warning, Cheon Yul shut his mouth.

This was no time for talking.

The warriors were terrifying enough, but even more dreadful was Murong Jungcheon’s expression—twisted with ghostly fury, his eyes burning red.

“You bastards—!”

Slash! BOOM!

He unleashed an overwhelming force, chasing us with terrifying speed. His obsession with the jewel was frightening.

He was so fast that if we hesitated even for a moment, he would catch us.

“That madman… he really is the Sword Emperor, right?!”

“Yes. If he catches us, we’re dead.”

“Why the hell is he like this?!”

Cheon Yul looked at me for an explanation, but there was no time. Even if I explained, he wouldn’t understand.

Swoosh!

His sword aura grazed my shoulder. Even the lightest touch cut deep.

“Not easy.”

I frowned bitterly.

It wasn’t just Murong Jungcheon—if it were only him, I could handle at least a hundred moves. But with the Divine Sect warriors swarming as well, the situation was dire.

Just then—

“Die—!”

Another figure descended from the sky.

Murong Hyuk.

His sword came crashing down with destructive force.

BOOM!

I barely dodged, but the shockwave hurled me across the ground.

When I scrambled up, another strike almost split my skull, cutting my hair and opening a wound on my forehead.

The wind from his blade alone had such power.

CLANG!

I blocked the next strike and fell back.

Divine Sect warriors landed where I had just been standing. A fraction of a second slower, and I would’ve been cut to pieces.

“That jewel—belongs to me!”

Murong Jungcheon’s bloodshot eyes blazed with madness. He no longer looked like the dignified Sword Emperor.

I checked the jewel in my hand and prepared to crush it when—

Swish!

A hidden weapon flew at me.

Clang!

I knocked it away, only for Auk to rush in, slashing with twin blades.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew as we exchanged blows. His attacks were relentless, forcing me back step by step.

Glancing aside, I saw Cheon Yul unleash a ferocious slash, shattering the ground and toppling trees, buying us some breathing room.

But it wasn’t enough—not with both Auk and Murong Jungcheon here.

“Out of my way!”

Murong Jungcheon roared. His sword swept down with such force that even Auk had to leap aside.

His obsession was terrifying—he would even cut down an ally to reclaim what he wanted.

Clang!

I barely blocked, forcing him back a step.

In that brief moment, I glanced at Cheon Yul.

He was swarmed by warriors and struggling. If it continued, he wouldn’t last long.

Murong Jungcheon’s rage exploded again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His attacks were heavy and sharp, but compared to the true Emperors I had fought before, he lacked composure.

He was blinded by the jewel.

Clang!

I locked blades with him, pushing him back, his eyes shaking in disbelief as he realized he was losing ground.

I took the chance to unleash hidden needles.

Swish!

They forced him to retreat just two steps, but it was enough.

I darted forward.

“Where do you think you’re going—?!”

He tried to strike again, but another needle interrupted him.

I reached Cheon Yul and cut down the warriors surrounding him in a flash of sword light.

Blood sprayed, and we burst through.

“Damn it!”

Cheon Yul threw another smoke bomb, and we fled together.

Projectiles chased us, but I slashed them aside with explosive force, creating shockwaves that stalled our pursuers.

We pulled further away.

Cheon Yul shouted angrily:

“You lunatic! Are we even going to survive this?!”

“Yes, we will.”

“How?! With what plan?!”

What plan indeed?

I hadn’t expected the jewel to appear tonight. This was all improvised.

For now, I had no clear escape.

But then—

I smiled.

Not far ahead, I sensed many presences approaching.

They were rushing toward the commotion.

Of course—they would come for the jewel.

In the distance, I saw their silhouettes emerge—

Masked figures with expressionless faces.

The retainers of the Official of Authority.

Another piece had entered the board.