Bam!
The array formation changes.
The group moves vigorously, different from when they used Oh Seong-jin.
Until now, we had often scattered to nibble at entities while operating Oh Seong-jin, but when considering the original purpose of the array formation, that was closer to a workaround.
The original purpose of the formation was to combine the power of its members and unleash it.
We wanted to maintain agility, but maintaining true agility while being quick enough to gather a significant attack wasn’t possible, so we chose to disperse instead of concentrate.
When we operated Oh Seong-jin, it sometimes felt like we weren’t even deploying the array; we were moving far apart, each taking separate actions. Now, however, we maintained proximity that anyone could nod and say we were clearly deploying the formation.
Swoosh!
And then, among such Six Star Chen, Tang Do-yeon’s whip sharply pierced through.
Those of us who were taking on the form of a large formation moved swiftly, transforming into the first form.
The difference in speed was stark compared to when we used Oh Seong-jin.
In Six Star Chen, the core principle of Moyong Clan’s martial arts was embedded: the exquisite transformation of extreme change.
Though we moved as one, tightly interlocking and sometimes lightly colliding, when combined with Moyong Yeon-hwa’s qi and the exquisite transformation, it acted like lubrication, making the transformation of attack smooth and fast.
Having completed the first form before Tang Do-yeon’s whip could strike.
We were fully ready to counter that whip, but we chose to evade.
It was because we anticipated that Tang Do-yeon’s whipping wouldn’t end with just one strike.
Swish! Swish!
And as anticipated, we hurriedly moved our bodies to dodge the whip that struck all around us. The frantic dodging of us was clearly different from when we used Oh Seong-jin.
Whoosh!
While we were dodging the whip in a panic.
Tang So-yeol’s wooden target flew in.
“Ha!”
As we dodged the whip, our formation changed once more. In an instant, it transitioned into a twisting form, and Black Cat’s fist struck down Tang Do-yeon’s whip, nullifying its power.
At that moment, the formation changed again.
It was an array of six, but it flowed like water, attacking as if one person was extending strikes in succession.
Boom!
The target thrown by Tang So-yeol shattered into pieces before hitting the ground.
“Great job, everyone.”
Tang Do-yeon announced the end of practice, and I wiped the sweat pouring down my forehead.
Seo Mun-yeon had conveyed Six Star Chen to us through Moyong Yeon-hwa.
Six Star Chen was far more sophisticated than Oh Seong-jin and simultaneously a more difficult formation.
Although I thought Six Star Chen was just a matter of adding Moyong Yeon-hwa to Oh Seong-jin, Seo Mun-yeon wasn’t someone who would be so lax.
Adding Moyong Yeon-hwa was expected, and the changes in the formation as per the notes were substantial enough that the improvement seemed to overshadow the rest.
And those changes all led to increased difficulty of the formation.
Miss Yeo Il-ye, wiping her sweat with a towel, spoke.
“It seems we’ve gotten somewhat used to Six Star Chen now.”
“Yeah. At first, when we were learning Six Star Chen, I thought Seo Mun-yeon was harboring some grudges against us.”
“Indeed, the level of difficulty wasn’t one to be taken lightly.”
Having thoroughly understood Oh Seong-jin through multiple practical experiences, the group considered how challenging Six Star Chen was the first time they encountered it, so there wasn’t much need to elaborate on its difficulty level.
Now, they had trained enough to be able to use it effectively even in real battles, but it had taken nearly two months of constant practice to reach this point.
“Phew.”
For a moment, the two months felt like a flashback.
So much had happened.
Eventually, we found a craftsman in Shaanxi who could produce the ornate belts and repaired the ornate belts of Moyong Yeon-hwa and Dokgo I-seol before embarking on Six Star Chen training.
The training for Six Star Chen had been tumultuous from the start.
It hadn’t been all that difficult to form Six Star Chen. Considering five members among the formation’s members were familiar with the communicating techniques, we could effectively fill in for Moyong Yeon-hwa’s shortcomings.
The problem was that through the subsequent Six Star Chen, it became clear to everyone about the comforting time Moyong Yeon-hwa and I had spent in Shaanxi.
…Hmmm. Not something I want to think about.
Recalling that atmosphere isn’t good for my heart, so let’s drop it.
Not to mention, two months was a long time, and many various things had occurred.
“Uff… Agh!!”
For example, when Moyong Yeon-hwa had the ‘real’ experience of Bicheongmacha.
Or the ongoing matter of Tang Do-yeon and Tang So-yeol dressing as men.
“Well then, shall we begin today too?”
As they say, ‘If you call the tiger, it comes,’ Hyeok Gi-rin smiled brightly, clapping his hands. Tang Do-yeon had a wry smile, while Tang So-yeol looked lifeless.
Hyeok Gi-rin, smiling brightly, pulled Tang So-yeol into Bicheongmacha.
How did Tang So-yeol and Tang Do-yeon end up in situations where they dressed as men every day?
The incident began when rumors started spreading in the Martial World that Blood Ancestor and I were blood relatives.
Considering the rumors about Jeong Cheol’s handling and the retrieval of Botamun, it already took up substantial space in the stories, and then on top of it, the rumor of being Blood Ancestor’s kin made us into a hot potato known by everyone in the Martial World.
Having played active roles in retrieving Botamun, people even recognized me and my group, including Bicheongmacha.
Naturally, for smooth travels, disguises were essential… and the main issue with disguises was none other than Tang Do-yeon.
A huge carriage driver being a beautiful, mysterious woman was almost as if saying, “I’m Tang Do-yeon, this is Bicheongmacha, and inside is Ho Cheon-an.”
Thus, we naturally reached the conclusion to have Tang Do-yeon dress as a man… but Tang Do-yeon’s appearance in male garb was absolutely breathtaking.
Perhaps because she enjoyed the speed, there was something airy in Tang Do-yeon’s atmosphere.
While the term “handsome man” exists, “handsome woman” is rarely used; it’s the norm that there’s a feel that suits the gender. The aura Tang Do-yeon had matched perfectly with her male disguise.
The problem started exactly from that point.
Suddenly, Hyeok Gi-rin seized Tang Do-yeon’s hand.
“Leave it to me!”
“Eh?”
“I’m an expert in this field!”
“Eh??”
“I’ll make you into the perfect man every day!!”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s rampage began.
Thus, Tang Do-yeon became a clothing model for Hyeok Gi-rin. And seeing that scene, Tang So-yeol couldn’t help but laugh.
Hyeok Gi-rin stared at Tang So-yeol, then suddenly muttered.
“By the way, I hear Miss Tang So-yeol’s sick is quite famous.”
“…Huh?”
“It might be good for Miss Tang So-yeol to dress as a man for disguise too?”
And so, Tang So-yeol joined the ranks of those dressing as men.
Since then, the two have been ‘dressed up’ by Hyeok Gi-rin under the pretense of disguise.
“Get this off me! What man wears such gaudy accessories!”
“Those self-pitying scions typically try to fill their self-esteem with such flashy accessories!”
“Why are you trying to dress me like one of those scoundrels?”
As the cart jostled and the loud voices resounded, everyone wore wry smiles.
Flap!
A message flew toward Black Cat. After glancing at me, Black Cat accepted the letter and slowly began reading it.
Seeing the subtly darkening expression, it seemed no good news was written there.
Two months.
A sufficient amount of time to learn Six Star Chen, and a time full of various happenings among the group.
It was also enough time for the martial world’s situation to change dramatically.
To most people, as well as the majority of martial artists, the Blood Sect and entities were phenomenally unfamiliar entities.
The Blood Sect had hidden away in the shadows long ago, surfacing occasionally in ominous rumors, and the existence of entities was doubtful to most people’s belief.
However, sufficient time had passed for such unfamiliar presences to be accepted.
As people became accustomed to the terms Blood Sect and entities, the worries we had anticipated were beginning to manifest one by one.
Signs had surfaced that the outcast factions were trying to make contact with the Blood Sect, considering the martial factions under the Martial Forest Alliance as eyesores.
There were even factions that declared withdrawal from the Martial Forest Alliance, albeit a minority.
But that wasn’t all.
Whether it was due to being attracted to the Blood Sect’s doctrine or the power of the entities.
Rumors were even circulating that groups proclaiming themselves followers of the Blood Sect were gradually arising.
Well, the report we just received from Wolbok-dang probably contained similar information.
Black Cat, having read all the notes, crumpled the paper silently, indicating that there was no information to relay to me.
In the end, the situation of the martial world hadn’t changed from the previous flow.
I observed Black Cat’s expression, then turned my gaze northwest.
We had put tremendous effort over the last two months but regrettably, preparations for the plan weren’t perfect.
The proficiency in Six Star Chen had risen significantly, but there were still uneasy points. I also couldn’t guarantee the success of the plan.
Ideally, I would have prepared more and time was no longer a luxury we could allow.
Currently, the Blood Sect had extraordinary prowess with entities, but still lacked in many areas—organization, footholds, numbers, martial artists. Beyond those simple matters, they lacked the intangible forces that support an organization.
However, if the outcast factions became allies, if they garnered followers, and if more collaborators for the Blood Sect emerged, it would quickly fill those deficiencies and could explode in growth.
Thus, it was necessary to draw the sword before those signs grew larger.
“Hmm, hmm. You look great today, too.”
“Whoa! My Disciple! Look at this getup!”
Tang So-yeol somehow resembled an Indian noble. Adorned with golden lattice-patterned arm jewelry and waist decorations hanging like a chain. And gaudily thick necklaces adding to the picture.
But Tang So-yeol’s impression, with a cigarette clenched between his teeth and a defiant expression, perfectly matched his ridiculous outfit.
Indeed, Hyeok Gi-rin has an eye for details.
I opened my mouth, observing Tang So-yeol and Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Let’s get going.”
“No, My Disciple, speak to me! What kind of man dresses like this?”
“Right, when you dressed like a street rat before, you never cared about your appearance. Now you want to nitpick on clothes?”
“What?!”
“We’ll be riding non-stop to Black Dragon Castle from here.”
With that, the banter between Hyeok Gi-rin and Miss Yeo Il-ye came to an end. Hyeok Gi-rin, all smiles, and Tang So-yeol, fuming. Seeing Tang So-yeol made all of our faces turn serious.
Squeak?
Feeling the atmosphere wasn’t right, even Seo Gong leaned out from Bicheongmacha’s window.
“We’re off to gather weapons.”
The time to pierce through the open back of the Blood Sect was fast approaching.
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