The Gate of the Spear, Geukcheonmun.

One of the pillars of the Seven Stars Sect, firmly rooted in Henan, where the Shaolin and Beggar Sect stand tall. Its influence was well-known throughout the martial world.

Though the current leader might not match the legendary prowess of the previous master, who was considered one of the greatest martial artists, he was still a formidable force, more than capable of leading the sect.

“Huashan Sword Demon!”

The booming voice of the Geukcheonmun leader echoed through the canyon, causing small stones to tumble from the cliffs.

Wu Hui lifted his gaze.

Behind the ranks of warriors filling the narrow gorge stood the leader of Geukcheonmun.

“Did you enjoy your last banquet?”

Ignoring the leader’s taunt, Wu Hui surveyed the warriors arrayed along the cliff. Their movements, their eyes, and the aura they exuded suggested they were the elite of Geukcheonmun.

The slight variations in their attire indicated that three of Geukcheonmun’s elite forces were present. Behind them stood the leader and three elders.

Wu Hui’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation.

“Do you think this is enough to kill me?”

“More than enough. We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure your demise.”

Three elite forces of Geukcheonmun. Three elders at the peak of their power. And the leader himself. Even a martial prodigy like Wu Hui would struggle against such odds.

“To think the leader of the Seven Stars Sect, a top figure in the unorthodox world, would bring so many just to kill a mere junior. How petty.”

Sunju spoke without hesitation, but the Geukcheonmun leader merely scoffed.

“You speak so lightly because you haven’t tasted the bitterness of the martial world.”

The leader’s voice was low, but it carried the weight of command to the warriors filling the canyon.

The warriors of Geukcheonmun gripped their short spears, the signature weapon of their sect, designed to be wielded in both hands.

As eight spears thrust toward Wu Hui, Sunju stepped in front of him.

Clang!

With a twist of her waist, Sunju’s golden sword strike deflected the spears.

“Wu Hui, I’ll take the lead. You need to conserve your strength for the real threats behind.”

“Can you break through?”

“If I can’t do this, I have no right to fight alongside you.”

The warriors of the Seven Stars Sect didn’t give Sunju time to wait for Wu Hui’s response. They attacked from all sides, their spears slicing like axes and thrusting like lances.

Twelve simultaneous attacks from different directions and angles. The coordination of a well-practiced team.

Sunju’s eyes darted rapidly, tracking the movements of the twelve spears. Her sword painted the air gold, and a purple hue began to spread across the golden field.

As Sunju’s sword created openings, Wu Hui’s blade struck with precision, exploiting every gap.

The warriors of Geukcheonmun fell easily, unable to withstand the combined assault of Wu Hui and Sunju.

With each step forward, blood splattered around them, painting the canyon red. The warriors of Geukcheonmun were determined not to let them pass easily.

“Don’t try to kill them in one blow!”

“Focus on wearing them down!”

The warriors knew how to handle opponents stronger than themselves. Instead of trying to wound Sunju and Wu Hui, they aimed to exhaust them, using their numbers to their advantage.

“Watch out for the one behind! The Huashan Sword Demon is the real threat!”

Despite the strategy, Sunju and Wu Hui continued their relentless advance.

Wu Hui was well aware of their tactics. His solution was simple: strike with such lethal precision that no one could withstand even a single blow.

Screams and groans filled the air as Sunju’s sword cut down two warriors blocking their path.

“Ha!”

Sunju’s breath was growing shorter, her energy and inner strength being drained as the Geukcheonmun warriors intended.

These were not mere numbers; they were the elite of the Seven Stars Sect, each at least at the level of a first-rate martial artist, with leaders at even higher levels.

Breaking through should not have been this easy, but Sunju’s innate skill and Wu Hui’s support made it possible.

“Don’t rush. It’s not about speed; it’s about reaching the end of this canyon.”

Wu Hui’s voice was calm, like a sage reciting a mantra, even as his sword unleashed a storm of purple energy, severing limbs and bodies.

His strikes were not clean; they were meant to demoralize by spilling blood.

“Focus on the chains.”

At Wu Hui’s command, Sunju lowered her gaze and extended her sword, deflecting the chains that sought to ensnare them.

Behind her, five streaks of purple sword energy shot upward, lifting the iron nets that had been cast over them.

Wu Hui, having leapt to the height of the nets, noticed the dark droplets on the barbed spikes.

‘Poisoned.’

With a powerful strike, Wu Hui redirected the nets back toward the Geukcheonmun warriors.

“Watch out!”

“Get out of the way!”

The heavy nets crushed those who couldn’t escape in time.

Wu Hui, soaring through the air, locked eyes with the grim-faced leader of Geukcheonmun before twisting his body to unleash a flurry of sword petals.

The canyon filled with purple light as the petals descended, leaving trails of blood in their wake.

“Aaah!”

The storm of sword energy shattered the formation of the Geukcheonmun warriors, allowing Sunju to forge a path forward.

Step by step, Sunju pressed on, unwavering.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Wu Hui landed behind Sunju, cutting down the warriors attempting to flank them.

“An impressive sight indeed.”

“The leader had a reason for mobilizing the three elite forces and calling us.”

The elders watched, murmuring among themselves. Wu Hui’s skill was beyond their ability to predict, and Sunju, though not yet at his level, was on the cusp of breaking through to the next stage.

“If we can crush this potential now, today’s losses will be worth it.”

Their conversation halted as the leaders of the elite forces stepped forward to block Wu Hui and Sunju’s path.

“The little ones are quite something!”

“Enough with the chatter, just kill them already!”

Hong Geuk Daeju lowered his stance, crossing his dual spears to target Seonju’s legs.

At the same moment, Gyeong Geuk Daeju leaped off Hong Geuk Daeju’s shoulder, descending swiftly with a deadly strike.

Gukcheon Twin Spear Dance

Whirling Twin Fangs

The yellow energy from the twin spears arced like massive axes, slicing through the air.

Those two yellow axes cleaved through Mu Hui’s defenses in quick succession.

Gyeong Geuk Daeju, having heard of Mu Hui’s legendary prowess, aimed for a swift victory with his initial strike, but the result was disappointingly futile.

Swish!

While Gyeong Geuk Daeju executed his elaborate move, Mu Hui simply countered with a straightforward horizontal slash.

A graceful purple line traced through the air.

Gyeong Geuk Daeju’s spears split in half, and his robe tore open, a stream of blood gushing from his chest.

In a single exchange, the Plum Blossom Sword had cut Gyeong Geuk Daeju down, twisting in the air before descending towards Hong Geuk Daeju, who was still engaged with Seonju.

“Ugh!”

Hong Geuk Daeju barely twisted his body to evade the violet blade that threatened to split his skull.

But the maneuver left him off-balance, and Seonju seized the opportunity, her sword piercing his heart with a decisive thrust.

“Damn…”

Seonju, uninterested in Hong Geuk Daeju’s final words, withdrew her sword with indifference.

As his body slumped to the side, the figures of the elders and the Gukcheon Sect leader came into view.

For the first time, Seonju’s relentless advance came to a halt.

“Brother…”

Breathless, Seonju called out to Mu Hui, her sword resting at an angle.

With Mu Hui’s help, Seonju had finally broken through the elite defenses of the Gukcheon Sect, carving a path forward.

Her body bore numerous small wounds, staining her indigo robe with dark patches, but in her heightened state of focus, she felt no pain.

What mattered was that she had cleared a path for Mu Hui.

“Look.”

Mu Hui placed a hand on Seonju’s shoulder, turning her to see.

The formation of the Gukcheon Sect was shattered, a blood-soaked path running through its center. It was the path Seonju and Mu Hui had forged and traversed.

“This wasn’t just a matter of superior skill. You did well.”

Mu Hui’s praise brought a faint smile to Seonju’s lips.

“Clearing a path… doesn’t mean it’s over, right?”

Seonju managed to speak, her breath still ragged.

Mu Hui nodded in agreement.

With Mu Hui facing the Gukcheon Sect leader and the elders, the remaining Gukcheon warriors wouldn’t stand idly by.

Though a path had been cleared, many of the Gukcheon elite still remained.

The sole surviving Daeju, Yong Geuk Daeju, was approaching with his twin spears.

For Mu Hui to fully engage the sect leader and elders, Seonju would have to hold off the rest on her own.

“Can you handle it?”

“Ha… It’s tough keeping up with you, really.”

Seonju exhaled deeply, raising her sword slowly. Her trembling hand steadied, the blade coming to a calm rest.

With a spirited smile, she tore a strip from her robe to bind the wound on her arm, wiping the blood from her face.

“Remember, holding the line is a specialty of the Zhongnan Sect disciples.”

“I trust you.”

Mu Hui moved towards the sect leader and elders, while Seonju turned to face the remaining Gukcheon elite.

The two warriors crossed paths, each heading in opposite directions, swords at the ready.

< It’s tough keeping up with you, really. > End

< Remember, it’s the Iron Plum Sword Technique. >