0033 : Golden Eagle Guards
The Zhao Family’s Money Field, located to the northwest of Guanzhong’s Six Great Houses, was a place of business for the Zhao family. It was only natural since they made a living through the field’s operations. I sprinted a little less than seven li to reach the Money Field. As I looked at the signboard of the Zhao Family’s Money Field, I thought it wasn’t far off after all; seven li was a distance easily covered on horseback.
In front of the Zhao Family’s Money Field stood a quartet of Guard Warriors. Upon seeing my sudden appearance with swift movement, they immediately raised their weapons defensively. It seemed they were also trained in martial arts.
“Who are you?”
I felt a fleeting urge to jest, but I restrained myself. There was no need to complicate matters unnecessarily. Instead, I politely cupped my hands and said,
“I am Baek Woong, a disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. I have come to contact the head of the Zhao Family as my senior, Grandmaster Jin So-cheong, visited recently.”
“Hmm…”
They exchanged glances for a moment.
“Please wait a moment.”
“Of course.”
“Do you have any proof of your identity? No one with uncertain standing is allowed to enter the Zhao Family’s residence.”
“This is the Master Token of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”
I took out the Master Token from my robes at the mention of it. The token featured a soaring Azure Dragon embossed on it, crafted from high-quality bronze. It was given to me by Samjeol Lee Kwang to prove my identity. Upon examining the token, they let out gasps of astonishment.
“Oh… You are a Master at such a young age in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School?”
“Impressive!”
“Please wait a moment.”
Before long, one of them began to speak formally and dashed inside, while the remaining three relaxed their stances and said,
“Did you say Baek Woong, Little Hero? A new star has appeared in the Guanzhong Martial Arts World.”
“How old are you?”
“……”
I was taken aback by the immediate friendliness of the Guard Warriors upon showing them the Master Token. It seemed they gave no thought to whether this token was fake or forged.
Though what I possessed was genuine, it also indicated that the Guanzhong Martial Arts World was remarkably stable without significant upheaval. At the same time, it demonstrated the considerable prestige and honor of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School within Guanzhong. The Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, much like the famous Shuangwen Sect in Luoyang, was currently enjoying overwhelming success in Guanzhong.
“Ah… For a moment… It is important for me to meet my senior.”
I mumbled a vague reply. Yet the Guard Warriors seemed to take my words at face value, chuckling heartily.
“Haha. Please wait a moment.”
Possibly around the time I finished waiting, the Guard Warrior who had entered spoke with an expression of embarrassment.
“Um… I’m sorry, but Little Hero Baek Woong. You will need to wait a bit longer.”
“What is the matter?”
“……”
He clenched his lips without saying a word. From his demeanor, I could sense that something was amiss inside. Either they had said they wouldn’t meet me, or perhaps Jin So-cheong was simply absent.
I spoke bluntly.
“I am here on my master’s orders. It was my master’s command to bring my senior here as soon as possible. Are you really planning to keep me standing outside for no reason?”
At my outburst, the Guard Warriors expressed signs of embarrassment. Though my words were impetuous, they were indeed valid. Then, the Guard Warrior who had gone inside responded hastily, as if in defense.
“Right now, Grandmaster Jin So-cheong is having an important discussion with the head of the Zhao family. If you are indeed from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, you should understand that.”
“I can certainly understand that. However, if you are responsible for blocking me…”
“……!!”
At the mention of responsibility, the expressions of the Guard Warriors turned pale. It was the most dreaded word for a guard such as themselves. They were caught in a flash considering how responsibility would shift to whom, prompting them to hastily urge the Guard Warrior who had gone inside.
“Taek! Just go ask once more!”
“It can’t be that urgent. Just ask one more time.”
The Guard Warrior called Taek snapped in frustration.
“Damn it! Am I your errand boy? Why are you all venting on me?”
“Because you’re the one on lookout!”
“Ugh…”
He seemed to be struggling to hold back his anger. Finally, in resignation, he said to me,
“I didn’t hear a word from your senior or the head concerning your arrival. This time, I will be sure to confirm.”
“What do you mean? Did someone tell you to turn back in the middle?”
“Ah, well… The Grandmaster ordered that no one approach the reception room. This time, you don’t have to worry.”
With just that, Taek hurriedly dashed inside as if fleeing. The other Guard Warriors muttered disparaging remarks about him, but I paid no mind. Instead, I fervently calculated the current situation in my mind.
‘The head of the Zhao family and my senior are having a crucial conversation? Wasn’t my senior supposed to meet with his friend, Namgung Hwan, the Azure Dragon Sword, at the Zhao Family residence? This wasn’t merely a meeting place.’
It seemed my senior meeting with Namgung Hwan was entangled in various complications. While I speculated that the head of the Zhao family might be detaining or threatening my senior, surely even the Six Great Houses wouldn’t resort to such tactics. After all, my senior’s martial arts skill alone was not something the head of the family could contend with, given that the might of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School surpassed that of two or three of the Six Great Houses combined. I shook off such ridiculous assumptions from my mind.
I asked the Guard Warriors whether Namgung Hwan and his fiancée, Mo Yong-yan, had come here. The Guard Warriors appeared cautious.
“Why do you ask that?”
“I heard rumors that they were heading toward the Zhao Family from the market.”
“That’s something we don’t know.”
They dismissed my inquiry, but something in their guarded expressions made me feel certain that Namgung Hwan and Mo Yong-yan had indeed visited the Zhao Family. If they truly didn’t know, they wouldn’t be showing such wary reactions. It seemed the Guard Warriors had carelessly tripped over their own thoughts.
“Should I just barge in?”
I felt that standing here was a waste of time. However, I clenched my fists and restrained myself once again. I had learned from experience that rushing in hastily could lead to death; thus, I knew it was best to endure to a certain extent for a good outcome. While toppling the Zhao Family would be easy, dealing with the consequences would be unbearable.
After that, I waited for about half a shichen (an hour). It was only then that a Guard Warrior named Taek and a middle-aged man walked out together.
“Greetings, Little Hero Baek Woong. I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long.”
“And you are?”
“I am Ha Jun, the Grand Master of the Zhao Family.”
He was treating me with respect, acknowledging my status as a master within the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, despite his youthful appearance. This meant he was regarding me strictly as a fellow martial artist. The middle-aged man, who introduced himself as the Grand Master of the Zhao Family, continued with an air of regret.
“Grandmaster Jin So-cheong has spoken with the head of the Zhao Family, but they could not reach an agreement, so he will be staying a bit longer. He said he would return to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School later, so do not worry and head back.”
“… What exactly did they discuss?”
“That is related to the confidentiality of this place. If you want to know, you’ll have to ask your senior later.”
I revealed my teeth in a smile that was distinctly menacing.
“Do you take me for a fool? You make me wait like this and then expect me to just turn back? When exactly am I supposed to return? My senior hasn’t even shown his face; how can you expect me to trust your words?”
“Ah, no…”
Grand Master Ha Jun appeared flustered.
Of course, my words were laced with barbs, and the unconscious pressure emanating from my internal energy was constricting around him, making him feel small. The Zhao Family’s Money Field was a martial family, and although Grand Master Ha Jun had practiced martial arts, the moment he faced my internal energy, he shrank back, visibly trembling.
Even the four Guard Warriors standing beside him flinched and took a step back. It seemed they had also lost their composure, their faces turning pale. I issued a subtle threat to Grand Master Ha Jun.
“I’ll say this: if you don’t allow me to meet my senior directly or at least provide me with detailed information, I will take matters into my own hands.”
“Are you saying that as a disciple you’re going to tarnish your senior’s name? Are you really threatening the Zhao Family for a mere disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School?”
Grand Master Ha Jun shot back fiercely, indicating that he had a certain level of resolve. Even under the pressure of my internal energy, he stood firm and spoke his mind. I smirked and responded logically.
“Does this sound like a threat? I was ordered by my master to ‘bring my senior here.’ That command is absolutely valid for my senior as well. Don’t make excuses regarding him. Disobeying that order would be my senior’s responsibility.”
“……”
“In the martial world, which do you think takes precedence: your senior’s intentions or my master’s command? I am merely stating the truth here.”
“Hmm…”
I pressed forward with a stern expression.
“Regardless of what you and my senior discuss, that matter pertains to my senior alone. To me and the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, my master’s command is of utmost importance!”
Grand Master Ha Jun showed a troubled expression.
From the nuances of my words, he realized that I was asserting, “It would be in accordance with the righteousness of the martial world if I were to overturn the Zhao Family in search of my senior.” It was understandable; he wasn’t incompetent enough to miss such implications. If I were to act on this justification and incapacitate Grand Master Ha Jun or the Guard Warriors, the Zhao Family would be the one to suffer in the aftermath.
Of course, I had no intention of actually going that far. The risks would be extremely high for me at that moment. However, I raised my aura and made a subtle threat to continually imprint the notion onto them that “this could happen,” thus establishing the framework for a “threat.” The idea that I might go to such lengths could serve as a formidable intimidation tactic.
Eventually, the Grand Master glanced at the Zhao Family’s residence behind him, letting out a sigh.
“I have no choice. I will tell you where Grandmaster Jin is.”
“Where is he? Isn’t he within the Zhao Family?”
“He left this place before half a shichen had passed.”
“……!!”
I realized that my instincts had been correct. Earlier, when the Grand Master prevented the Guard Warriors from stopping me and made excuses to send them away, it was to conceal the fact that Jin So-cheong was not here. I confirmed that my intuition had been right, but there was nothing I could do. After weighing all the reasons and circumstances, I had to choose the best route that wouldn’t put me at a disadvantage.
I asked the Grand Master, “Why have you concealed Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts?”
“Because he requested the head of the Zhao Family to do so.”
“What…?”
“I’m afraid I cannot say any more. However, we are simply doing as he asked, so know that even if you claim to be from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, you cannot intimidate us regarding this matter.”
Grand Master Ha Jun’s words had a sharp edge to them, like a razor. His irritation for meddling in someone else’s affairs was evident, so I decided not to provoke him further. It seemed that Jin So-cheong had asked the head of the Zhao Family to hide his whereabouts for some reason, which appeared to be until the next day. The Grand Master was only accommodating the request as promised.
But for what reason?
Eventually, Grand Master Ha Jun spoke again.
“He is heading to Hanguguan. He left quickly on horseback, so you must hurry if you want to trace his whereabouts.”
“You’re really doing your best to find an excuse.”
Clearly, his sincere revelation of Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts was meant to prepare him for the inevitable questioning later about why he had hidden the Grandmaster. Then, Grand Master Ha Jun frowned.
“Don’t be sarcastic. We don’t enjoy meddling in others’ affairs either.”
“Hmph.”
“I won’t see you off. Little Hero, you should leave now.”
After a brief moment, Grand Master Ha Jun instructed the Guard Warriors to close the gate and then retreated inside. With a loud bang, the gate closed, leaving the Guard Warriors with awkward expressions as they quickly got back to their duties, igniting the torch wicks. It was indeed growing dark, and if I didn’t hurry, I would lose track of Jin So-cheong.
“Vroom!”
I knew where Hanguguan was. Having lived in Guanzhong for three years, I had a general understanding of the geography. Hanguguan served as a gateway from the central plains to the western Guanzhong and was located near the Lingbao region on the south bank of the Yellow River. Although I had never been there directly, it was an ancient fortress with historical significance, well-known enough that I figured I could simply follow the official road.
“There was a relay station nearby. I can rent a horse there.”
Riding at night is dangerous, but if I held a torch in one hand, it would provide enough visibility. Of course, my horsemanship wasn’t that great, so I would have to adjust the horse’s speed accordingly. I could go full gallop, but I preferred to conserve my stamina whenever possible.
“Hihihing!”
There were a few fire towers scattered near the official road, each with torches attached. Fortunately, it was visible enough that I slowly began to ride my horse. According to the relay station keeper, Hanguguan would appear after crossing a hill about five li away. Thus, I estimated the actual distance to be around twenty-five li from here. It was quite a distance, and I felt glad I had decided to ride.
Listening to the rhythmic sound of hooves clattering, I thought,
“Without a doubt, Grandmaster Jin So-cheong has met with Namgung Hwan and Mo Yongyeon at Zhao Family’s Money Field and is heading to Hanguguan with them.”
The only possible objective was clear.
“To protect!”
During the day, numerous first-class experts were certainly circling the city, searching for Namgung Hwan and Mo Yongyeon. Namgung Hwan wouldn’t be unaware of this. Thus, he took his fiancée and sought refuge at the Zhao Family while simultaneously requesting his friend, Jin So-cheong, for assistance. It seemed Jin So-cheong told Lee Kwang he was meeting a friend and accompanied Namgung Hwan’s group to provide protection.
“Swish!”
I leaned low on the horse, dodging branches and muttering,
“This is becoming an annoying task.”
Indeed, my intuition was correct. If I continued following Jin So-cheong toward Hanguguan, it was highly likely I would run into the group of first-class experts. They had a fierce obsession with Mo Yongyeon, and there was no way seasoned experts like them wouldn’t be able to trace Namgung Hwan’s whereabouts. They would likely refrain from making a move while at the Zhao Family but would seize the opportunity to confront him now, under the cover of night.
I would soon confirm my assumptions.
As I rode down the official road, crossing over the mountains and inching along with the light of the torches, I felt an intense reaction in my energy perception. It was a massive shockwave, indicating a clash between powerful experts. The small sound that would be inaudible to ordinary people felt like needles prickling my ears, unmistakably signaling a conflict between skilled martial artists.
“God, I hope I’m not too late.”
I clicked my tongue and urged my horse to speed up. Descending was dangerous, but I had no choice.
“Come on, let’s go!”
I placed one hand gently on the horse’s neck, gradually infusing my energy into it. The horse, once weary, began to gain vigor and started to run faster. At the same time, I synced with the horse to ensure it wouldn’t stumble or stray off course.
“Hihihing –”
Typically, skilled martial artists wouldn’t be able to exert energy in this way. Infusing ki into another being is incredibly inefficient, so one usually needs to know the locations of the meridians and direct energy through designated channels to minimize waste. However, since my internal energy was so abundant, I could simply infuse the horse with energy without being overly concerned about the precise channels, even if it was less efficient—this was still enough to deliver a significant boost.
As a result of my rush, I arrived at the contested battleground after a mere fraction of time.
“Swish –”
I emerged from the bushes into a vast plain, dotted with large trees. In the distance, Hanguguan could be seen atop a mountain, and in the center of the plain, torches were planted like markers in a training ground, where about a dozen figures were standing still.
Dismounting my horse, I shouted,
“Grandmaster Jin So-cheong! Are you alright?”
“Clang clang!”
Jin So-cheong, wielding his spear, glanced in my direction while engaging in combat with two experts. Remarkably, he moved the spear as if it were an extension of himself, not retreating even a step and appearing to dominate instead.
“Bang!”
“Ugh!”
With a powerful thrust, Jin So-cheong sent one longsword-wielding expert flying backward with a scream. At the same moment, he employed the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms, causing the spear’s tip to spin, generating a peculiar shockwave that shredded the other opponent’s gloves while tearing away at their shoulder.
In the blink of an eye, having defeated both opponents, Jin So-cheong looked at me with surprise.
“Who are you? Why does your energy carry the scent of thunder?”
He seemed to have sensed the thunderous energy emanating from my body. Even so, the fact that he could discern the realm of thunder from just a glance indicated that, at this moment, Jin So-cheong was a more formidable expert than I had initially anticipated.
All eyes from the gathered martial artists shifted toward me.
I bowed slightly and gestured with respect toward my senior.
“I am Baek Woong, a new disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, who has been granted the Master Token. I have come to bring the Grandmaster here on behalf of the lord.”
“Master…? Senior?”
“I have also learned the Samjeol techniques due to personal circumstances.”
Jin So-cheong, initially bewildered, seemed to comprehend the situation and burst out laughing heartily.
“Haha! I see! I look forward to working with you, disciple Baek Woong!”
“Yes!”
He instantly deduced that I was from another lineage of the Thunder God and that I was a disciple of Samjeol Lee Kwang, a master of the Thunder God’s techniques. He also grasped that referring to the ‘Samjeol’ likely alluded to the Thunder God style in a discreet manner. He appeared to be exceptionally gifted in both intellect and martial arts, truly a remarkable talent in the world.
“Well, it’s no surprise—he is destined to be among the top ten experts in the future…”
Behind Jin So-cheong stood a young man and woman.
The man was an incredibly handsome figure. While Jin So-cheong was somewhat dashing in his own right, this man’s looks could only be likened to that of a dragon. As if sculpted from jade, he exuded an air of flawlessness. Just a simple smile from him would likely send countless maidens’ hearts racing.
Next to the handsome man stood an equally stunning beauty. Among those I had seen, she could rival Mo Yongyeon, and it was hard to say who was better looking. If I had to compare, Mo Yongyeon had an ethereal beauty, while this woman had a more youthful and innocent appearance. Regardless, it was clear that any ordinary man would risk his life for a chance to win her over.
They greeted me.
“Nice to meet you, little hero. I am Namgung Hwan, the Azure Dragon Sword of the Namgung family.”
“I am Mo Yongyeon, the daughter of the Mo Yong family.”
“Yes, pleased to meet you both.”
I accepted their greetings without much elaboration, as I was fairly certain of their identities. My assumptions had indeed been correct.
At that moment, a man dressed in black emerged, laughing mockingly at Jin So-cheong and me.
“You’re making quite a scene. Just because another teenager has joined you doesn’t mean you’ll survive today, Jin So-cheong and Azure Dragon Sword!”
Around him stood seven to eight experts, each wielding their unique weapons. Among them, I recognized the presence of four first-class experts I had felt during the day. Moreover, at the back, there was a young man holding a wooden sword—it was Wei Zhong, the War Sword Ghost, whom I had defeated earlier.
As expected, when Wei Zhong spotted me, he gasped in shock.
“Ah! It’s you, the boy from earlier!”
I replied curtly,
“Boy from earlier? I am a disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”
“Don’t make me laugh with that pathetic appearance and those pathetic excuses!”
“Shut your mouth, you bastard.”
Was he comparing me to that boy out of lack of anything better to say?
That was an insult.
Annoyed, I leaped forward. It seemed necessary to show them what I was capable of.
“You madman!”
The first-class experts looked at me with expressions as if I were nothing more than a bug, smirking to themselves. A moment later, they unleashed their deadly weapons, aiming to finish me off. However, I halted before entering their attack range and then performed a sharp descent from the air. With all my internal energy, I unleashed a Ground-impact Technique against the ground.
“Let’s see how it feels!”
KABOOM – !!!
A grand explosion resounded. The sound was as if dozens of barrels of explosives had detonated, creating a cloud of dust that spiraled up towards the mountains.
It was like a wall of darkness rising up, engulfing the world in a deafening crescendo. An invisible shockwave buzzed and tore through the clouds. The force of my impact wasn’t just felt on the surface; it seemed to shake the very ground itself, causing utter disruption. Nearby trees lost branches as the shockwave swept through them.
The human body was no exception.
“Ahhhh!”
“What’s happening?!”
“This is crazy?! Hooorrrk!!”
Screams erupted as the gathered first-class experts were thrown back, flailing helplessly. Some tried to plant their weapons into the ground or steadied themselves in the air with martial arts, but no one could withstand the shockwave for even five breaths. One expert with weak internal energy was knocked backward for several zhang, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
All I had done was channel my internal energy into a Ground-impact strike.
Yet, the outcome astounded even me.
Did I really accomplish that?
What level had my internal energy reached?
At that moment, Jin So-cheong smiled and said,
“Well done, disciple Baek Woong! Mount Mo Yongyeon and let’s make our escape.”
“Escape?”
“Those men are formidable opponents. It’s not wise to confront them directly.”
Swish!
The woman, Mo Yongyeon, gracefully mounted the horse I had come on. Holding the reins, Namgung Hwan urged her,
“Quickly make for Hanguguan. Don’t worry about us.”
“Okay, let’s go!”
Clop, clop, clop!
As Mo Yongyeon’s horse started running, Jin So-cheong, Namgung Hwan, and I began to follow. Although the three of us could keep pace with the horse, we needed to conserve our internal energy and stayed just out of reach of the horse’s tail.
While we rode, Namgung Hwan glanced at me and remarked,
“I never expected to find a young expert like you in Guanzhong… The balance of power in the world will surely change.”
“Haha…”
I chuckled awkwardly. I knew Namgung Hwan would become the Sword King of the Namgung family and one of the top ten experts in the future. Hearing such praise from a future legend made me feel a bit embarrassed.
At that moment, Jin So-cheong sent a message to me via thought transmission.
[Did you inherit the teachings of another Thunder God lineage?]
I wasn’t well-versed in thought transmission, so instead, I muttered softly,
“Yes. My former master passed away, and I came to seek the Lord’s guidance.”
[Heh. This will make training fun from now on. I count on you today.]
Surprisingly, Jin So-cheong did not display any suspicion or jealousy. It would be normal to react with skepticism or anger when an unexpected talent appeared, even within the same sect. I sensed that his attitude wasn’t pretentious or insincere, which made me feel somewhat heavy-hearted.
Indeed, Jin So-cheong was a natural talent!
“I’d feel better if he were just being petty.”
I could not help but wonder if I could surpass the genius successor acknowledged by Samjeol Lee Kwang.
——————-= Author’s Note =——————-
I corrected some errors. Hah, I was startled while eating Choco Cream Bread on the bus!
