Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Alliance

At the moment when the Beast Palace was advancing from the west to the east, Taiyang Palace also began their march from the south to the north after summoning their archers.

Unlike the Beast Palace, which divided the roles of reconnaissance, poison removal, combat, and rear support, with Ouyang Pae handling complex commands, the advance of Taiyang Palace was fairly straightforward.

“Disperse the poisonous mist!”

“Yes, sir!”

Whenever there was a sign of poison spreading, the Taiyang Palace Master would give the order, and dozens of Taiyang Palace archers would step forward.

Boom!

And a dazzling shower of flames would burst forth from the hands of those who had mastered the Extreme Yang Energy Technique.

Most poisons were naturally vulnerable to heat. Thus, the Five Poison Sect was at a significant disadvantage against Taiyang Palace.

In a war, this compatibility difference would be absolutely detrimental.

Nevertheless, the Five Poison Sect survived because of the existence of the Beast Palace.

The Beast Palace and Taiyang Palace had no particular compatibility issues with each other.

So, from Taiyang Palace’s perspective, it was easier to deal with the Five Poison Sect if the Beast Palace first fell to their poisons.

After all, the ignorant barbarians were vulnerable to the Five Poison Sect’s poisons.

However, after learning that the previously disregarded Five Poison Sect had started plotting and mocking them, the Taiyang Palace Master had no intention of letting them live.

Particularly, the fact that the Five Poison Sect planted spies had irritated the Taiyang Palace Master.

The problem was not the spies themselves but the fact that the archers were affected by poison.

‘It means they have started creating poisons that can withstand the Extreme Yang Energy, so it’s time to take action.’

The Taiyang Palace Master was a deep thinker. However, a problem arose from his occasional explosive temper due to practicing the Extreme Yang Energy Technique.

Though he was smart, when his temper flared, he would charge without thinking.

Anyway, the Five Poison Sect had developed some poisons that could resist the Extreme Yang Energy.

Even so, the main reason Taiyang Palace could advance so easily was due to a certain individual.

“Head of External Affairs, how about taking a rest for a while?”

Even now, the Taiyang Palace Master advised Jin Gyeong-hui, who was tirelessly dispersing the poison mist, in a solemn tone.

No matter how much the Five Poison Sect had developed poisons to resist the Extreme Yang Energy, they were ineffective against an expert like Jin Gyeong-hui.

Although Jin Gyeong-hui had been internally injured in a duel with Ouyang Pae, he had recovered somewhat during the two days the archers joined the Taiyang Palace.

From the start of the march until now, Jin Gyeong-hui had been at the forefront, dispersing the poison mist and leading the advance of Taiyang Palace.

“Repaying the kindness received from the Palace Master over the past ten years is not enough with just this.”

“I am aware that your internal injuries are not fully healed. Rest a little for the upcoming major battles.”

“…If that is the Palace Master’s will, so be it.”

Jin Gyeong-hui showed respect with a nod and eventually retreated to the rear.

Watching Jin Gyeong-hui’s dignified retreat, the Taiyang Palace Master sighed softly to himself.

‘It’s a pity. To let go of such a man after this war.’

The Taiyang Palace Master had first met Jin Gyeong-hui about ten years ago.

At that time, Jin Gyeong-hui had escaped from the Heavenly Demon Cult and was wandering the continent to evade pursuers.

It was then that he happened to meet the Taiyang Palace Master, who admired Jin Gyeong-hui’s skills and character, especially his mastery of the Extreme Yang Energy Technique. Ř𝐚NοʙƐṡ

However, Jin Gyeong-hui declined the Taiyang Palace Master’s offer, saying he couldn’t betray the teachings of his cult.

Despite being chased by the Heavenly Demon Cult’s pursuit team.

Ironically, this stubbornness made the Taiyang Palace Master even more interested in him.

Eventually, the Taiyang Palace Master didn’t demand Jin Gyeong-hui follow the Taiyang Palace’s teachings but asked him to stay as a guest.

For the past ten years, Jin Gyeong-hui stayed with Taiyang Palace.

Not wanting to live off others like a parasite, he often took the initiative to solve problems in the Taiyang Palace’s territory using his martial prowess.

The Taiyang Palace Master tried to reward him with positions and titles within the Taiyang Palace, but Jin Gyeong-hui refused.

Therefore, with the condition that he could return to the Heavenly Demon Cult anytime he wished, the position of the Head of External Affairs, which only dealt with external matters, was half-forced upon him.

‘It’s really a pity! If it weren’t for that brat Ouyang Pae…’

Perhaps feeling the threat of losing a valuable talent, the Taiyang Palace Master’s suppressed rage flared momentarily.

“Should I just kill that brat?”

Muttering his thoughts involuntarily, the Taiyang Palace Master soon shook his head to regain his composure.

‘If I did that, I would lose this friend forever. That would be the worst move. Yes… Considering all the help I’ve received from Jin Gyeong-hui, it’s time to let him go.’

As the Head of External Affairs, Jin Gyeong-hui had resolved all external issues in Taiyang Palace’s territory, making it more peaceful than ever.

And since Jin Gyeong-hui attributed all the credit to him, the commoners living in the territory revered the current Taiyang Palace Master.

Although Jin Gyeong-hui said he had not yet repaid his debt, strictly speaking, he had already received enough.

However.

“Can’t I just kill him secretly without Jin Gyeong-hui knowing?”

Regret was still regret.

“No, no. No matter what, I can’t do something as despicable as the Five Poison Sect. No way.”

The Taiyang Palace Master kept wavering.

* * *

The advances of the Beast Palace and Taiyang Palace towards the Five Poison Sect were progressing slowly but steadily.

Due to the Five Poison Sect spreading poison at every juncture, speeding up the advance was not easy.

Both the Beast Palace and Taiyang Palace chose to advance slowly but surely, removing the poison rather than hastily increasing their speed and causing casualties.

About seven days and nights after they started their advance.

“Kehaha! You managed to come here alive, Southern brat!”

“Shut that mouth. Northern barbarian. Before I burn your mouth with fire.”

The Taiyang Palace and Beast Palace finally met at the predetermined location.

It was a hilly area overlooking the swamp, the stronghold of the Five Poison Sect.

Fearing another fight might break out between the Beast Palace Master and the Taiyang Palace Master, Mu-jin stepped in with Ou-yang Pae, who served as both interpreter and strategist.

“Did you encounter any major problems on your way here?”

“The Five Poison Sect merely delayed us with their poison. There were no significant skirmishes.”

“It was the same for us. It seems they planned to defend their position from the start.”

“So, what do you intend to do now? Do you plan to burn all the poison away with your extreme yang energy?”

The Beast Palace Master burst into laughter at the Taiyang Palace Master’s question.

“Hahaha! How could the master of an entire palace think of such a ‘brute’ method?”

The Beast Palace Master laughed because he had already heard the overall plan from Ou-yang Pae and Mu-jin.

Of course, the Taiyang Palace Master, being called brute by ‘him’, could not tolerate it.

Bang!!

Before anyone noticed, flames erupted from the Taiyang Palace Master’s fist, but the Beast Palace Master blocked it with a predator’s smile.

“Before we attack the Five Poison Sect, I should burn your head first. It’s only for decoration, after all.”

“Ha. I’ve been holding back my anger just to kill those Five Poison Sect bastards. But first, I’ll crush your head to warm up.”

Mu-jin and Ou-yang Pae sighed and stepped in to separate the two as they growled at each other.

However, for some reason, the Taiyang Palace Master’s gaze towards Ou-yang Pae, who approached to stop him, was not pleasant.

‘…What? Did that guy do something to the Taiyang Palace Master?’

Mu-jin noticed this, but Ou-yang Pae seemed unconcerned.

“Ugh.”

After glaring fiercely at Ou-yang Pae and the Beast Palace Master, who tried to stop him, the Taiyang Palace Master finally withdrew his fist.

“So, what is the plan you’ve come up with?”

Despite speaking, the Taiyang Palace Master never looked at the Beast Palace Master.

He knew very well that if he started talking to him, his fists would fly again.

“First, burning away all the poison in that swamp, as the Taiyang Palace Master suggested, is a possible method. However, there is a major issue.”

“Issue?”

“Yes. The poison mist is part of a poisonous formation set up by the Five Poison Sect. To destroy it would require significant internal energy. If the Five Poison Sect attacks immediately after, the damage would be considerable.”

“The Five Poison Sect is nothing without their poison, right?”

“If it was only the Five Poison Sect, yes. But they have reinforcements.”

Mu-jin and Ou-yang Pae explained briefly about the Jeomchang Sect and Hwang Gon’s subordinates who had joined the Five Poison Sect.

“So what are you planning to do? Surround them and wait until they crawl out?”

“While surrounding them to prevent their movement and additional reinforcements, we don’t intend to wait idly. We have called for reinforcements as well.”

“Hmm. You plan to start the attack once your reinforcements arrive.”

“Exactly.”

After Mu-jin and Ou-yang Pae finished their explanation, the Taiyang Palace Master nodded in understanding.

* * *

After discussing the rough plan, they formed a defensive formation surrounding the Five Poison Sect.

This was to prevent additional enemies from joining or supplying them.

Knowing that the Taiyang Palace and Beast Palace would fight if left together, the Beast Palace and Taiyang Palace’s troops were stationed at opposite ends.

Mu-jin and his group, along with the Red Tiger Group, took positions at the points where the two sides met to keep watch.

Two more days passed.

Finally, the reinforcements Mu-jin had requested arrived, but the Taiyang Palace Master frowned upon seeing them.

“What do you plan to do with just five more people?”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The reinforcements included four middle-aged to elderly men and one young woman.

Mu-jin explained to the Taiyang Palace Master to ease his concerns.

“Don’t worry. The main problem is the poison. Our forces are stronger in combat. These people are the best poison experts in the Central Plains.”

Hearing this, the expressions of the newly arrived reinforcements turned sour.

Representing their feelings, the young woman stepped forward and spoke.

“The best in the Central Plains? Are you underestimating our Sichuan Tang Clan?”

The reinforcements Mu-jin had called were from the Sichuan Tang Clan.

The problem was that the Sichuan Tang Clan was currently in a power struggle with the combined forces of the Emei and Qingcheng Sects in Sichuan.

Thus, Mu-jin had only requested a few poison experts instead of their full strength.

The young woman, Tang So-mi, who came with the four poison experts, added,

“The Sichuan Tang Clan’s poisons are the best in the world. The Five Poison Sect cannot match us.”

Tang So-mi confidently looked at the Taiyang Palace Master.

She mocked the Taiyang Palace Master for complaining about only five reinforcements, implying he had requested reinforcements because he couldn’t handle the Five Poison Sect alone.

Perhaps her provocative and confident attitude worked.

“Hmph! Then prove your skills. If you can destroy that poison formation within three days, I will apologize for my rudeness.”

“Prepare to relax your neck muscles. Soon, you’ll have to bow that stiff neck.”

She gave the Taiyang Palace Master a seductive smile and started analyzing the poison formation with the poison experts without delay.