Book 29 Chapter 12

"Fierce Flames! Fire Dragon Chaos!"

—Stake your life on the proof!

"Everyone, get ready."

Bilyeon sent a telepathic message to everyone simultaneously. Sending a telepathic message to multiple people at once was a high-level telepathic technique. Moreover, facing top experts like the Three Great Young Ladies, extreme caution was necessary to avoid having the telepathic message intercepted.

"What are we supposed to prepare for?"

"We need to be ready to escape at any moment."

"Do you think there will be an opportunity for that?"

Moyonghwi asked gravely.

"Well, they probably won't let us go. Didn't the two of them whisper something just now?"

"Huh? When was that, Senior Brother?"

Namgung Sang was flustered, wondering if he was the only one who missed it. But Jang Hong seemed to be in the same boat.

"You're right, I didn't hear that either?"

"That's because they were talking telepathically like us, so you couldn't hear. We're too far away to eavesdrop."

"By the way, why did you say we were having a test, my friend? It's just going to exhaust us."

"It's because time is what we need most right now. Who knows? Maybe a chance to survive will arise! It's better to be at ease believing they won't let us go easily. We'll be ready to escape in the meantime."

However, Na Baekcheon's injuries had worsened. Escaping from a Thiên La Địa Võng of this scale, with numerous peak experts, and carrying an injured person was as difficult as a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

"Alright, then let's create an opening now."

"…What if we can't?"

"Then we all die!"

"But there's one problem."

Bilyeon, having finished organizing his thoughts, spoke.

"What is it?"

"How do I prove I'm the Divine Wind Hero?"

"Do I have to think about things like that too?"

Dan Hye asked with a hint of annoyance. Then, Sarang, who seemed to have thought of something, slowly opened her mouth.

"I've heard that the Divine Wind Hero controls the wind like his own limbs and commands the Fire Dragon."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Bilyeon exclaimed as if genuinely impressed.

"That's you!"

Dan Hye shouted, glaring at Bilyeon.

"Ah, right!"

Bilyeon said, tapping his palm with his fist as if he had momentarily forgotten. Seeing this, Dan Hye felt increasingly suspicious.

"They say that the Divine Wind Hero controls the Fire Dragon by manipulating the wind as if it were his limbs, and with that ability, he controlled the scorching flames of the 'Fire Dragon Annihilation Formation' that were burning down Hongmaegok where the Fiery Spirit Assembly was held."

"Come to think of it, that did happen. Be careful with fire. So, what then?"

Bilyeon readily agreed with Sarang's calmly delivered words. He hadn't hidden his identity because no one had asked him, "Did you do it?" but if someone did ask, he had no intention of hiding it.

"In other words, if you are truly the Divine Wind Hero, can't you control the Fire Dragon with the wind?"

"Is that how the story goes?"

It seemed like an extremely difficult problem would arise.

"Alright! Then show me that it's possible in front of me! Then I will spare your life!"

With Dan Hye's bold words, Bilyeon looked around and said.

"Huh? There's no fierce flame here? Besides, I can't find a Fire Dragon anywhere. Are you going to set fire to everything yourself? That's natural destruction, a very bad thing!"

Bilyeon knew that Dan Hye would use fire, but he intentionally emphasized "natural destruction" and "bad deed" to minimize his losses, but Dan Hye wasn't easily swayed.

"Leave that to me. There's no problem, I, Dan Hye, will handle that problem cleanly."

Dan Hye boasted and then took a peculiar iron ball from her embrace and threw it at Bilyeon and his companions. The five were startled, thinking it was an immediate attack, but the iron ball fell directly in front of them and then struck the ground with a thud.

*Kwakwakwakwakwak!*

"Look at that!"

Jang Hong pointed at the iron ball that had fallen to the ground with a startled voice. The iron ball wasn't just stuck in the ground and stopped; it was spinning fiercely in place. As the rotation reached its peak, the iron ball slowly began to slow down.

When the iron ball stopped, a large circular trench had formed around Bilyeon and his companions.

As Dan Hye signaled, the subordinates of the Black Heaven Alliance rushed forward and poured a massive amount of oil into the trench that had formed around them. It wasn't the special oil in her Fire Dragon Oil Pack, but oil that the subordinates of the Black Heaven Alliance carried as a precaution.

Soon, a river of oil began to flow around Bilyeon and his companions. Standing by the river, Hongryeon Seonja Dan Hye raised her index finger with a smile.

"You're ready, aren't you?"

*Hwa-reureureureu!*

Sammae Jinhwa.

A small flame ignited at her fingertip.

It was an absurdly small flame compared to what Dan Hye had conjured before. But no one could laugh. Only Bilyeon gave an awkward chuckle.

"Ahahahaha, you're joking, right?"

"Why? This amount won't cause any damage to the surroundings, and if you're the Divine Wind Hero, it's perfectly possible, isn't it?"

"Hey, if you think about it, aren't there many better ways to prove yourself?"

"Thinking is bothersome, and it doesn't suit my style! Well then, let's look forward to a fun fireworks display!"

With those words, the flame that had ignited at Dan Hye's fingertip fell onto the continuously linked river of oil.

*Poreureuk.*

The kiss between the small flame and the trickling oil created a hotter result than any kiss.

*Hwa-reureureureureureureureureureureu!*

A fierce flame dragon, with its crimson mane flowing, raced across the land.

Bilyeon and his companions were soon surrounded by a giant wall of fire.

The immense heat emanating from the wall of fire pressed down on Bilyeon. Just standing there, their skin felt like candy left in the middle of a desert, melting and dissolving. Na Baekcheon, whose injuries had worsened, could barely hold himself up and was sweating profusely. Upon encountering the aura of the flames, he slumped to the ground. It seemed he had fainted due to his condition.

As Moyonghwi and Jang Hong carefully laid Na Baekcheon down, a terrifying voice was heard.

"Well then, shall we begin in earnest now?"

Dan Hye's skill was not just creating a wall of fire.

"Heek! Y-you mean this isn't even the beginning?"

Namgung Sang, who had resigned himself to being roasted that day, exclaimed in renewed terror.

"You have the Divine Wind Hero over there, so why are you so flustered? Don't panic. The real thing starts now!"

Dan Hye raised her hand high.

"Spin [回]!"

Then, the wall of fire surrounding Bilyeon and his companions slowly began to rotate.

"Th-this is…"

Moyonghwi swallowed a groan as he watched the wall of fire begin to spin as if obeying Dan Hye's command.

"This doesn't feel good…"

Jang Hong's expression also hardened. There was a dangerous scent in the air.

"Se-Senior Brother?! Something's wrong!"

"I know without you telling me, so everyone be careful. One wrong move and you'll be roasted!"

Bilyeon's gaze turned to Dan Hye, the instigator of this situation.

At that moment, she slowly closed her open palm and quietly declared.

"Tighten! Flame Prison (炎獄)!"

Flame Palace (炎宮) Secret (秘傳)

Fire Spirit Divine Skill (火靈神功)

Secret Ultimate Technique (秘奧義)

Flame Prison Chapter (炎獄篇)

Flame Wall (炎壁) Shattering Jade (玉碎)

At the command of the flame-controlling Seonja, the crimson flame wall began to close in like a closing net.

"Well then, if you are the Divine Wind Hero you're rumored to be, you will survive, and if not, you will have no choice but to burn to death here."

Dan Hye said as she tightened the prison of flames. She had created a simple formula: 'If he survives, he's the Divine Wind Hero; if he dies, he was lying.'

"My goodness, isn't this proof method too brutal?"

His face showed that he never expected it to go this far. However, his voice was not anxious or trembling. Bilyeon was smiling.

"My friend, is this the time to be discussing such things! Hurry up and do something while you're smiling! Before we all become roasted together!"

Jang Hong shouted angrily. Namgung Sang and Moyonghwi frowned and surrounded Na Baekcheon.

*Hwa-reureureureu.*

The wall of fire continued to close in on them even in that moment.

In the desperate moment of a life-or-death crisis, Bilyeon grumbled indifferently.

"Ah, it's hot."

He fanned himself with a flick of his wrist. His nonchalance made the people around him furious.

"Senior Brother, it's not just hot for me, it's scalding!"

"You told us to prepare, but I think everyone except you is ready!"

Namgung Sang and Jang Hong cried out desperately or irritably. Everyone was waiting for Bilyeon's signal, but the person in charge was acting so slowly and leisurely, as if he wanted to be cremated alive. How could they not be enraged?

"Wait a minute, people are so impatient."

Moreover, he didn't seem to realize it was his fault. He had no intention of realizing it.

"Wait for what, my friend! Are we waiting until we turn into charcoal?"

"Tsk tsk, you're old enough, yet so impatient."

Bilyeon said, clicking his tongue.

Of course, Jang Hong was not solely relying on Bilyeon. From Jang Hong's experience, it was wise not to rely on Bilyeon if possible. So, he had thought of an escape method on his own, but unfortunately, he couldn't come up with a way for everyone to escape together, with the deeply injured Na Baekcheon and his companions.

However, Jang Hong didn't seem to be the only one contemplating an escape method.

"Alright, are you ready to go see Jinryeong, Gungsang? And Hui, you're ready to go find Miss Eun, right?"

"I've been waiting eagerly for you to say that, Senior Brother."

Namgung Sang said with a brightened face. The Senior Brother asking so casually meant he had something up his sleeve.

"Wh-why is Miss Eun suddenly mentioned? Anyway, I'm ready."

Moyonghwi also answered with a blushing face. He didn't know that Eun Seolran had joined the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult and had left to meet Gal Jung-ha under Gal Hyo-hye's orders.

"The air seems to be warming up… The wind direction is also good… Alright! Let's go!"

Bilyeon raised his right hand high, and his martial arts uniform fluttered vigorously.

Flying Thunder Saber (飛雷刀) Secret (秘傳) Five Ultimate Techniques (奧義)

Wind God (風神)

Chapter of the Raging Dragon Ascending (龍卷昇天之章)

Fire Dragon Chaos (火龍亂流)

Wind began to blow in a spiral pattern with Bilyeon's body as the axis. At the same time, the wall of fire surrounding them also slowly began to rotate.

"……!"

Dan Hye was startled to see the crimson flame wall slowly rotating. It had begun to rotate, ignoring her control to tighten.

'Could it be that child is the real one?'

The rotation of the flame wall gradually increased its speed and reached its peak in an instant. Then, the wall of fire began to swirl.

The tightening wall of fire spread outward due to centrifugal force. As the suffocating heat receded, people could finally breathe comfortably.

*Sssik!*

At that moment, the corner of Bilyeon's mouth slanted upward.

"Everyone, are we starting?"

"We're ready over here!"

Jang Hong sent a telepathic message while carrying the unconscious Na Baekcheon.

"Begin!"

"Go ahead."

Namgung Sang and Moyonghwi approached like guards on either side of Jang Hong, who was carrying Na Baekcheon. As Namgung Sang's sword was enveloped in residual energy and emitted a lightning-like white light, residual energy like starlight sparkled from the sword drawn by Moyonghwi. Namgung Sang's sword, roaring with a 'woong,' seemed to say it could transform into white lightning at any moment and pierce the enemy, while Moyonghwi's sword was ready to scatter residual energy like starlight in the night sky with just one swing.

"If I tell you to run, run immediately! You don't have to help me. But you're in charge of your father-in-law."

"Are you really going to be alright by yourself?"

"You told me to prove myself, so I have to prove it myself."

Fire Dragon Dream (火龍夢想) Awakening (覺醒)!

Bilyeon brought his index and middle fingers of his right hand, connected to the Flying Thunder Saber, together like a sword gesture, and then raised them slightly upward.

*Kwarureureureureureureu!*

Then, a portion of the ferocious flame wall surprisingly floated in the air. It looked like a wave of flames, or perhaps a Fire Dragon rearing its head.

It was an extremely ferocious Fire Dragon, possessing immense heat and flames, imbued with the power of both fire and wind. Earlier, she had said it was natural destruction to burn the surroundings, but in this urgent situation, there was no time to worry.

"Roar, Fire Dragon!"

A single command fell from Bilyeon's lips.

At the same time, the dragon, which had reared its head, turned its head towards the Three Great Young Ladies and the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult, the core of the encirclement, and let out flames as if roaring fiercely.

"……!"

Sarang had to step forward and block the Fire Dragon's intrusion. Her Ice Palace techniques met the flames, turning into hot rain.

Seeing this, Bilyeon spread his pinky finger and then folded it, shouting.

"Whip and strike down!"

Fire Dragon Tail!

A dragon has not only a head but also a tail.

The Fire Dragon's tail whipped the Black Heaven warriors surrounding the encirclement, as if it were about to bring down stars. As the whip of flames, accompanied by a massive heatwave, struck, the encirclement crumbled instantly. If Bilyeon had harbored killing intent, they would have all turned to ash.

As the giant Fire Dragon rampaged, the area instantly turned into chaos.

Amidst the screams and chaos, Bilyeon commanded again.

"Whirlwind, Heatwave (熱風)!"

The writhing and rampaging Fire Dragon coiled its body and became a giant heatwave mixed with embers, surging in all directions. The heated air, as if it had been waiting for Bilyeon's command, swept fiercely in all directions with dirt and embers mixed with flame fragments.

It was time to give the now greatly grown Fire Dragon full freedom.

Fire Dragon Chaos (火龍亂流) Fire Dragon Variation (火龍變式)

Fire Dragon Heatwave Formation (火龍熱風陳)

The roaring Fire Dragon coiled into a spiral and soared into the sky. At the same time, everything on the ground was swept up in the dragon's rampage, and the heatwave ravaged the earth.

"Aaaaah!"

"Krrrrk!"

The fierce heatwave was so hot and strong that everyone could barely open their eyes. The five Flying Thunder Sabers embedded in the Fire Dragon's body and the lightning spirits connected to them were like reins controlling the Fire Dragon.

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the heat and heatwave from the rampaging Fire Dragon, Bilyeon intended to break through the encirclement.

As he pulled the five lightning spirits, the rampaging Fire Dragon raised its massive upper body. Even the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult turned pale at its immense majesty, dripping lava-like saliva.

"Well, avoid it yourselves!"

After uttering the irresponsible words, Bilyeon pulled down the lightning spirits with a loud shout.

"Bite, Fire Dragon!"

The dragon, which had raised its upper body, opened its mouth with glowing flame teeth and flew towards the center where the Three Great Young Ladies and the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult were gathered.

"Can't be helped."

Gal Hyo-in, the first of the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult, who stepped forward and was about to draw his twin swords from his waist, stopped his intended action for a moment. There was someone blocking the Fire Dragon rushing towards his daughters. It was none other than the third mother, Bingryeon Seonja Sarang.

Sarang, extending her snow-white arms towards the approaching Fire Dragon, quietly moved her lips.

Absolute Ice Wall (絶代冰壁)

*Pahwaaaaaaaaaaaak!*

As if hitting an invisible wall, the Fire Dragon crumpled and stopped in mid-air. The head that had broken off due to the impact turned into flames and scattered in all directions.

"Huh? What kind of unexpected disaster is this?"

Looking closely, a transparent ice wall had sprung up, creating a giant shield.

"This much heat cannot break through my ice wall. Give up on escaping."

This time, it was unclear how it was frozen, but even with the heat of the Fire Dragon, only steam rose; it did not melt.

However, giving up here was not like Bilyeon.

"If it's blocked, we can go around!"

Bilyeon grasped the lightning spirits connected to his middle, ring, and index fingers with his left hand, pulled only those three strands upward, and shouted.

"Split! Fire Dragon Head Split!"

Fire Dragon Twin Head Stance (火龍雙頭勢)

Twin Flame Flow (雙炎流)

A portion of the Fire Dragon, which was stuck against the Absolute Ice Wall, split, and another head appeared.

It became a twin-headed dragon with one body and two heads.

Leaving one head struggling with the Absolute Ice Wall, the newly formed Fire Dragon head climbed over the Absolute Ice Wall.

"Do you think such a shallow trick will work?"

*Chwararararak!*

Ice chains protruding from the Absolute Ice Wall instantly bound the other Fire Dragon head.

'Wow, you caught both of them at once?'

Even though the blazing Fire Dragon was captured by ice, it did not melt or anything. It seemed that they had not responded properly earlier when the rain had fallen.

'You were relaxed, weren't you? If that's the case…!'

It was a do-or-die situation.

The two heads of the Fire Dragon began to rotate independently. If he had Flying Thunder Sabers in both hands, he could have used this technique more easily, but that was a pity.

However, if you don't have a knife, you use a fork.

The rotation of the two Fire Dragon heads rapidly increased speed. The two heads soon split into two bodies, creating two violently swirling vortexes. Although still weak, they were definitely vortexes.

Bilyeon intended to finish it today.

*Wriggle! Wriggle!*

The two wildly swirling vortexes, the vortex winds, repeatedly clashed and separated, stirring even more violently.

At that moment.

*Kwarureureureureureung! Kkwang!*

Thunder boomed, shaking the sky, and lightning flashed.

"Huh? This is…!"

Judging by Bilyeon's reaction, it didn't seem like a technique he had intentionally unleashed.

"The clue has been solved!"

It was a flash of realization that came at an unexpected moment.

'With this, I can escape from those scary ladies!'

The door to the realm of the Thunder God, which had been blocked, had now been momentarily twisted open.

"Roar, Gale! Cry, Thunder! Strike, Lightning!"

Bilyeon pulled the lightning spirits and clashed the fierce vortexes created by the two Fire Dragons into one spot.

*Kwarureureureureureung! Kkwang!*

Once again, thunder boomed, shaking the sky, and the blood of the warring dragons flashed as lightning in all directions. As a result, the dragon, wrapped in heatwave, flames, and wind, finally became clad in the lightning of the heavens, the Flying Thunder (飛雷).

"Now!"

This was the time to send the two dragons back to the sky.

Flying Thunder Saber (飛雷刀) Secret (秘傳)

Chapter of Thunderbolt (霹靂之章)

Enlightenment (心得) Five Ultimate Techniques (奧義)

Thunder Fire Heatwave Blade (雷火熱風刃) Twin Dragons Return to Heaven (雙龍歸天)

The two Fire Dragons, now clad in golden lightning, repelled each other with all their might, causing a tremendous explosion and lightning to strike in all directions. Simultaneously, the crimson flames and heatwave trapped within the swirling wind erupted, devastating the surroundings indiscriminately.

The thunderstorm, accompanied by lightning, unleashed unprecedented power, sweeping through the surroundings.

Screams erupted from all around. Some of the ordinary warriors struggled to even stand. It was like a sudden natural disaster, and people were too busy trying to save their own lives.

"Wow, I didn't expect this much."

Bilyeon, who had written it himself, seemed not to have expected such power.

Due to its wide-ranging and indiscriminate ferocity, even the Three Great Young Ladies and the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult seemed to prioritize defense. Ordinary warriors and subordinates, who were usually excellent combat power, became burdens to be protected at such moments.

In other words, in this fleeting moment.

The women of the Shinma family had no time to hold them back.

Bilyeon did not miss this moment and sent a telepathic message like lightning.

"Run!"

A moment later.

The heatwave did not last long due to the presence of the Three Great Young Ladies and the Eight Immortals of Demonic Cult.

However, where Bilyeon and Na Baekcheon should have been, only the black traces of ashes remained.

"Unexpected."

While others were busy with the cleanup, Sarang approached Gal Hyo-hye and said quietly.

"Yes, Mother. I was taken by surprise this time. The Divine Wind Hero… that child really was the Divine Wind Hero."

The idea that that slovenly child was the Divine Wind Hero was completely unexpected.

"What is that?"

Sarang pointed to a spot. In the middle of the black field swept by the hot heatwave, a white letter lay. It stood in stark contrast, like a white lily blooming amidst ashes.

Gal Hyo-hye picked up the letter and presented it to her mother, Bingryeon Seonja Sarang.

"A letter left in the midst of a swirling inferno… it seems that child's internal energy is extraordinary."

There was no trace of burning on the white letter. It meant that the letter had been protected from the flames by the power of the internal energy within it.

The content of the letter, hastily written, was very simple.

It is not a situation to talk calmly now, so I will leave first.

Come to Mount Wudang.

All the truth about this matter will be revealed there.

Deputy Head of the Orthodox Martial Alliance, Na Baekcheon, acting on behalf of the leader.

Divine Wind Hero (神風俠) Bilyeon.

It was unknown when he became the deputy head of the Martial Alliance, but Bilyeon's status had suddenly risen.

"What should we do, Mother?"

It was a matter that required careful consideration to judge anything based solely on the contents of the letter at this point.

"We have to go to Mount Wudang."

Sarang said quietly after a moment of thought.

"This could be a fake, you know."

Gal Hyo-hye's smile deepened as she retorted, as Sarang so readily agreed to go to Wudang.

"I know. But the probability that it's not a lie is high. After all, where else would they go in this situation?"

It was a question that required no thought. Gal Hyo-hye immediately replied.

"Nowhere. In Hubei Province, it has to be Wudang. Because 'Jintian' is with the Wudang Sect."

"Yes, only there is the power to protect them."

Otherwise, accepting them would only lead to shared destruction.

"Understood. I will ask for permission from the eldest sister and contact the second sister and Seollan as well. I still have some unfinished business here, so I will go with the second sister after I finish it."

"Yes, do that. I will assign you two more sisters."

"Yes, Mother."

Yeomdo and Binggeom were to be taken by the Three Great Young Ladies. She was uneasy leaving them with her daughters.

* * *

After bidding farewell to the three mothers, Gal Hyo-hye led a few younger sisters and turned towards Wudang, where the Black Heaven Alliance was located.

Gucheon Hyeonnyeo Muhwa, Hongryeon Seonja Dan Hye, and Bingryeong Seonja Sarang, along with the remaining daughters, headed towards Mount Wudang.

"Let's go, eldest sister."

Sarang spoke to Muhwa, who was standing silently.

"Yes."

Muhwa's reply was very short. If Sarang hadn't spoken, she might not have moved at all. Muhwa seemed to be contemplating something. If she hadn't been distracted for more than half the time, Bilyeon and his companions would never have been able to escape, no matter how much the Fire Dragon rampaged.

"Third sister, is what your younger sister said earlier sincere?"

Sarang answered Muhwa's grave question as she began to walk.

"Yes, it is."

However, Dan Hye frowned and shook her head.

"Third sister, I find the story you told telepathically difficult to accept and still don't quite understand it. Did you really have to do that?"

"Yes, I will explain in more detail when the preparations are complete. For now, please trust me."

"It's fortunate that you're the third sister, but if anyone else had said such a thing, I would have dealt with them on the spot!"

Dan Hye seemed unable to shake off her displeasure.

"It's not like that now either. What will you do if they don't hand over that person at Wudang?"

Then, Sarang's cold, calm eyes shone as she replied deliberately.

"They will hand them over. Because I will make them do so!"

Her words, devoid of emotion, meant one thing: she would resort to force if necessary.

In fact, since 'Gwangcheon' was already heading towards Wudang, a bloody clash might occur before they arrived.

Muhwa quietly looked up at the sky.

The day was ending, and at its boundary, day and night were mixing.

"Wudang will only be the beginning…"

Unless a miracle occurred, it was impossible to stop this great flow towards the War of Orthodox and Demonic forces.

She had no intention of stopping either.