Dark Heaven Village
Moments later, Lee Kwang called for Jin So-cheong. When Jin So-cheong was introduced to me by Lee Kwang, he smiled warmly.
“I’m Jin So-cheong. Nice to meet you, disciple.”
“Yes.”
Now that I decided to become a disciple of Lee Kwang, the bond of brotherhood was established. Jin So-cheong glanced outside and continued,
“Did Bangil get subdued by the disciple?”
“Yes, we weren’t on the same page.”
“If you didn’t use a killer move, it shouldn’t matter.”
Lee Kwang added,
“Come here. We have urgent matters to discuss.”
“Yes.”
Lee Kwang moved into the inner chamber of Waryong Hall, and Jin So-cheong and I followed him. I couldn’t help but be surprised.
‘Didn’t I expect at least a day to adapt to Azure Dragon Martial Arts School before jumping straight into discussions?’
Rescuing General Hwang Yeon!
It seemed to be a matter far more serious than I had anticipated. Once we entered the secluded room, Lee Kwang sat at a table and invited us to sit as well. As the three of us settled in, Lee Kwang spoke up.
“General Hwang Yeon is currently imprisoned by the Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang.”
“……!!”
Jin So-cheong flinched in surprise. It was evident he knew who General Hwang Yeon was, and judging by his reaction, it was more than just casual knowledge—he probably had a personal connection to Hwang Yeon.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. This information was brought by Baek Woong. It was commissioned by Jang Gyeong-ik.”
“Hmm…”
Jin So-cheong looked deep in thought. I quietly listened in and asked a question that had been plaguing me.
“Do you have a connection with Jang Gyeong-ik, the lord overseeing Shandong Province?”
At my question, Lee Kwang chuckled coldly.
“Connection? Not at all… Back when I was active as Azure Dragon, he was just a rookie. He climbed to that position through flattery, so he’s of no personal interest to me at all.”
“……”
I couldn’t fathom Lee Kwang treating Jang Gyeong-ik, who held military power rivaling that of Shandong Province, so dismissively. Lee Kwang glanced down at a map and said,
“Since we have a map, we can just go and rescue him.”
Jin So-cheong murmured softly,
“This is a trap.”
“Do you think so too?”
“If the Golden Eagle Guards or Dongchang truly had General Hwang Yeon imprisoned, they wouldn’t leave him in such an exposed location. They would have imprisoned him within the Imperial Palace, at the very least.”
“True enough.”
I was inwardly surprised as I listened to their back-and-forth. The brainpower of these two disciples was as sharp as Miho’s instincts, honed through experience. Lee Kwang, while quietly studying the map, added,
“Yet, this trap is exceptional. It’s one we can’t ignore even if we know it’s there.”
“What do you propose?”
“It shows consideration to send a letter, meaning Hwang Yeon‘s life isn’t in immediate danger. A plan needing time wouldn’t recklessly endanger a hostage.”
“But the Hwang clan will become increasingly vulnerable.”
“That can’t be helped. Once the Golden Eagle Guards secure their safety, who can be safe?”
Lee Kwang implied that he prioritized General Hwang Yeon over the Hwang clan. As I silently absorbed this, Lee Kwang continued,
“It’s best to exert influence through the personnel of the Qingliu faction.”
“The Qingliu faction?”
“I know a few capable individuals. I can mobilize them suitably.”
After that remark, Lee Kwang glanced at me slyly.
“But this time, I’ll employ both the upper and lower strategies.”
“Are you thinking of charging in yourself?”
“Hmm. Upon reflection, the provocations from these rascals are just absurd. Plus, my new disciple has just reached the threshold of understanding; I want to improve through real combat experiences.”
Hearing Lee Kwang’s words, I began to catch on to what was happening.
‘So, that’s how it is.’
Even in the history where I didn’t deliver the letter to Jang Gyeong-ik, Lee Kwang must have received news about Hwang Yeon in some way. And being no fool, he wouldn’t blindly walk into a trap but rather apply pressure using Qingliu factions as a strategy.
But this time, since I had entered as his disciple and he wished to give me real combat experience, he seemed willing to walk straight into the trap. I was stunned by Lee Kwang’s audacity and exclaimed,
“What are you saying? A trap set by numerous elite members of the Golden Eagle Guards, and you want to just charge in?”
Even with my current abilities, it was questionable if I could defeat two groups of the Golden Eagle Guards without utilizing my secret techniques. Moreover, they would be laying traps and waiting for us there! The thought of just three of us going into that was insane.
Lee Kwang replied,
“This trap is not fearsome; it’s a base trap. So if I can avoid it, I will, but there’s no need to force it. Instead, if we step on them a bit, it will shake them out of their stupidity.”
“……”
“Now, let’s pack our things and set out. Our destination is Water Merging Valley.”
Lee Kwang’s actions were as swift as lightning. It would take at least a day to prepare, yet he exuded a ‘let’s just rush in’ attitude. As I returned to the annex, I was astonished and confronted Jin So-cheong, who was diligently packing.
“Don’t you think this is reckless, Brother?”
“Uh? Reckless? Why?”
“……”
Raw confusion spread across Jin So-cheong’s face as he genuinely questioned me. He felt that a trap like this was nothing significant.
‘Why did he act so serious earlier then?’
As my expression soured, Jin So-cheong burst into laughter.
“Haha, disciple. Don’t worry, we’ll just have a good time!”
“[A good time], is it…?”
I answered weakly.
When I had teamed up with Jin So-cheong to break the plaque of the Nine Great Sects, I had witnessed firsthand the catastrophic destruction that his “good time” could yield. If I hadn’t gained that experience, I wouldn’t even have understood what Jin So-cheong was implying now.
‘These guys have a destructive streak.’
Chuckling, Jin So-cheong tightened his bag and said,
“And General Hwang Yeon is like a grandfather to me. I’m excited to go save him myself!”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a vague memory, but I think General Hwang Yeon used to play with me when I was little. My parents were probably close friends with him…”
“……”
I fell silent. Given that I had spent years alongside Jin So-cheong, I knew well of his past. It was said that his parents perished in an unknown accident, and Lee Kwang, who took him in as an orphan, was more like a father figure to him. In this sense, Jin So-cheong was like a son to Lee Kwang, and vice versa. That was why Jin So-cheong had poured all his mental energy into pursuing martial arts as his life’s goal.
I hesitated and asked,
“Brother, if General Hwang Yeon is truly there, and the opposition threatens his life, what will you do?”
“Hmm?”
“If they say, ‘If you want to save General Hwang Yeon, drop your weapons!’”
“Hmm…”
Jin So-cheong pondered for a moment before answering,
“In that case, I’ll just charge in and kill them all.”
That was an unexpected answer.
“What? General Hwang Yeon…?”
“If I get caught, he’ll die anyway. So I’ll tell him to leave it to me for revenge and then just wipe them all out without hesitation.”
“……”
“Don’t overthink it too much. The enemies are the Golden Eagle Guards, and if they’re serious about this, there’s no possibility of compromise.”
I understood now.
I realized Jin So-cheong had a very clear-headed and rational way of thinking. Though he appeared gentle and warm on the outside, he was as merciless as Lee Kwang when it came down to it. He knew how to separate public and private matters and stayed unclouded by emotions.
Once Jin So-cheong had finished packing, he said,
“Even though it’s our first meeting, I feel like we’ll get along well. Let’s do our best in this together.”
“Understood, Brother.”
Thus, the trio for the rescue—Lee Kwang, Jin So-cheong, and I—set off from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. We rode our horses along the Guandao, swiftly making our way past Hameung Pass. As we took a short break there, Lee Kwang spoke,
“Water Merging Valley is three hundred forty li from here. We’ll switch to foot travel a hundred li from our destination.”
“Understood.”
Just then, I heard a voice in my head.
[What’s going on suddenly? Why are you so far away?]
It was Miho contacting me from afar through magical means. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. No, more importantly, how was I supposed to answer?
[Just think about it hard in your head. No time, hurry up!]
Quickly, I mentally relayed the situation up until now. Then Miho replied,
[Got it. I’ll be at Water Merging Valley ahead, so let’s meet there.]
It felt like the voice was getting weaker as she finished. It seemed the thread of spiritual connection was only meant to last a short while. I thought Miho would significantly help with interrogation, so I decided not to stop her.
Clatter, clatter!
After riding for about a day, we arrived near Water Merging Valley. Lee Kwang dismounted as promised a hundred li away, and we began walking on foot from there. While strolling near the reed fields, suddenly, a voice rang out,
“Attack!!”
Suddenly, figures in black appeared from all sides. Assailants wielding swords, spears, secret weapons, and arrows surged out from the reeds, appearing to number around a hundred.
Lee Kwang spoke wearily,
“You all handle this.”
“Yes.”
Jin So-cheong and I seemed to have a tacit agreement to cover the north and south, respectively. I rushed forward with my sword, unleashing a wave of energy that cut down three of them instantly. Still having enough strength, I spun, taking out an additional twelve in a matter of moments.
In the blink of an eye, as I sliced through twelve enemies, the ones in black recoiled in shock.
“What the…? Who is this guy?!”
I quickly realized that their martial arts couldn’t compare to the Golden Eagle Guards. They were barely lower-tier practitioners, with a few elite-level fighters mixed in. Comparing them to the official members of the Golden Eagle Guards was downright insulting.
‘They must be some low-level rogues that the Golden Eagle Guards hired under the radar…’
Yet, even so, I saw no reason to let them off the hook. Medical skills may offer humanity, but there was no need to spare those aiming for my life, especially when they worked for the Golden Eagle Guards, who were nothing more than targets to vent my frustrations on.
Swish, swish!
I coldly laughed and lunged forward, mixing my techniques into a furious onslaught. Each slice sent waves of energy surging, and soon my sword technique became a tempest. Any life that crossed its path was swiftly terminated.
“Gaaah!”
Jin So-cheong was faring equally well. In just a few swift movements, the sounds of enemies exploding echoed as their heads met invisible attacks. In some ways, it was far more horrific than my method.
“AHHH!”
“Eek!”
Blood soaked the reed fields as the air became thick with the stench of iron.
And within less than ten seconds since the ambush began, when their numbers dropped below four, they ceased their advance and started fleeing.
“AHHHH!”
“Save me!!”
Jin So-cheong and I looked at Lee Kwang at the same time. He replied with an air of confidence,
“Kill them all.”
“Yes, sir!”
With the order given for extermination, Jin So-cheong and I charged swiftly, mercilessly dispatching every last one of them, not leaving even a single straggler behind. Before any could plead for mercy, we executed them cleanly and returned.
“Well done.”
“Was there really a need to kill them all?”
“Showing mercy is a mistake. You really think the Golden Eagle Guards would spare them?”
“……”
I understood Lee Kwang’s meaning. After all, even if they survived, it would only result in torture from the Golden Eagle Guards, making it necessary to eliminate them to cut off any potential information leaks. That was what Lee Kwang meant by ‘mercy.’
‘Logical of someone from the Imperial Palace; he understands the Golden Eagle Guards’ ruthlessness more than anyone…’
As I pondered, Lee Kwang said,
“If they’re this weak from the beginning, there must be a strong adversary waiting at the end. I look forward to it.”
What did he mean by ‘looking forward’?
I wanted to ask about his standards for a “strong opponent,” but I refrained, fearing his response.
I had repeatedly felt that Lee Kwang‘s logic stood on a completely different level than mine.
Before long, we reached Water Merging Valley. Upon entering the massive gorge, a Lion’s Roar echoed in the distance.
[Azure Dragon, don’t act rashly! We have Hwang Yeon as a hostage!]
On a nearby cliff, two shadowy figures appeared. Straining to focus, I saw one was an old man bound tightly in a chair, while the other wore a white outfit with gold embroidery—undoubtedly a member of the Golden Eagle Guards. Whether the old man was Hwang Yeon, I couldn’t be sure, but that figure was unmistakably hostile.
Lee Kwang remained expressionless as he said,
“What a foolish person. They could have prepared a hundred thousand troops or deployed poison or traps, yet…”
“What do we do?”
“What to do indeed.”
His response was simple and clear,
“Kill them all.”
Whoosh!
Lee Kwang’s Divine Typology unleashed a massive blast toward the target area. Suddenly, from a distance of at least a hundred zhang, a powerful force shot upward toward the cliff. With a single leap, it became clear that Lee Kwang’s lightness techniques were at least above the Celestial Ladder level.
The Golden Eagle Guards, caught off guard by Lee Kwang‘s sudden assault, visibly panicked and tried to drop Hwang Yeon from the cliff. However, before they could even flinch, Lee Kwang’s spear had already shattered one of their heads.
Blood mist scattered over the cliff.
[Die, Azure Dragon!]
I watched as elite fighters from the Golden Eagle Guards surged toward Lee Kwang, only to sense danger.
‘At least four groups…!! This is too dangerous!’
The Golden Eagle Guards consisted of a selection of elite fighters, composed of high-tier practitioners and devastating leaders. Their numbers appeared to be no fewer than forty, and such elites charging in was a harrowing sight.
However, I was soon left in disbelief.
[Thunder God’s Storm!]
Alongside Lee Kwang’s Lion’s Roar, a massive spear attack crashed down like a storm. Even at this distance, there was a violent tremor that shook the ground accompanied by dazzling lightning illuminating the sight.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunder roared as the cliff crumbled, and several members of the Golden Eagle Guards plummeted, their bodies torn apart by the Thunder God’s Storm. Those who survived appeared to have retreated hastily, but soon Lee Kwang was already unleashing combined techniques of Lan and Sha.
[Kill them all!]
Whoosh!
A massive whirling spear formed in the air, launching hundreds of sharp attacks. The Golden Eagle Guards attempted to resist with their swords and skills, but as the lightning-tipped spear erupted irregularly, members were soon torn apart.
“Gaaah!”
“AHHH?!”
Blood and gore painted the azure sky.
Boom!
Another shockwave erupted. This time, it was not just the cliff—Water Merging Valley’s forest below was swept away by Lee Kwang’s overwhelming energy. The ground turned over as if a minor earthquake had occurred.
Five capable leaders from the Golden Eagle Guards charged in to attack Lee Kwang altogether.
“Die!”
“You monster!”
“AHHHHH!”
Their assault unleashed a dazzling array of sword lights that would likely be fatal if I were to face them. However, the Golden Eagle Guards, drenched in desperation for their lives, paled in comparison to Lee Kwang’s confident boisterous laughter trailing behind.
[Hahaha!! Is this all the Golden Eagle Guards have?]
Bam!
In an astonishing show, Lee Kwang’s spear appeared to effortlessly nullify all their attacks, piercing through the bodies of elite members from the Golden Eagle Guards one after another, as if making a mockery of them.
As their remains danced in the air, Lee Kwang leaped into the air once more, slicing one of the leaders vertically from the top of his head to his groin, before charging toward another, smashing his knee into the skull of the second competitor.
Thud!
When a final, determined foe charged at him, Lee Kwang astonishingly employed a technique of creating a copy of himself, followed by an explosive Thunder God Fist that collapsed the enemy’s chest.
The last one rushed forward with reckless abandon, but Lee Kwang merely swept his spear away, sending the enemy tumbling to the ground.
Thud!
[You all go with him!]
In the blink of an eye, Lee Kwang had killed four peak warriors, and then hurled his spear towards the surviving Golden Eagle Guards.
“AHHHHH!”
“Save me!”
The thrown spear was not mere sport; it was a terrifying sight.
Pwoosh!
As they howled for dear life, the incoming spear skewered them like kabobs, crashing into the cliff. Moments later, the spear twisted violently, blood erupting from those impaled.
Whoosh!
The moment the spear began to spin, the bodies of those caught on it were shredded, creating a bloody shower.
By the time this had transpired, barely half a moment had passed. By now, it seemed there were no survivors among the hoodlums left.
The only one left shaking in a sea of blood was a seemingly purposeless leader of the Golden Eagle Guards. He looked like he’d been deliberately spared, yet was on the verge of passing out from the immense pain of being skewered.
Tap!
Finally, Lee Kwang landed softly, holding the blood-soaked spear. Despite the massacre, there was not a drop of blood on Lee Kwang himself. He remarked,
“The ones on the cliff were just fakes brought over from the nearby village.”
“……”
“It’s a shame; it seems someone quite capable was waiting but managed to escape.”
It seemed that an extraordinary expert was hiding among them. However, seeing Lee Kwang’s overwhelming might deter them, they must have chosen to flee.
‘Insane…’
I was left speechless.
At this moment, I had witnessed with my own eyes the power of the legendary Azure Dragon, who had adorned the Imperial Palace with blood and death.
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