0034 : Golden Eagle Guards
Clop, clop, clop
The sound of Mo Yongyeon’s horse galloping came from the front.
The escape was smooth. Though Hanguguan seemed somewhat distant, the pursuers trailing behind were showing signs of struggle to catch up once a gap had formed. This was because Mo Yongyeon was quickly riding away on horseback, and we were now also vigilant, not allowing them to close in easily. Moreover, it was nighttime, making visibility poor, so we had to be cautious to avoid falling as we rushed along.
Since I had unleashed a Ground-impact strike earlier, four of the attackers were likely incapacitated, and now only five were pursuing us. The remaining one was a martial arts expert using hidden weapons, but he seemed to have been significantly restrained earlier by Jin So-cheong and was not chasing us anymore. I glanced at their numbers and said,
“Three against five isn’t insurmountable, right?”
“That’s not true. One of them is a master of hidden weapons, so we shouldn’t recklessly accept a front-line confrontation.”
“A master of hidden weapons, you say?”
“His name is Zhan Long. We need to be cautious.”
There was a strong sense of vigilance in Jin So-cheong’s words.
‘It looks like that earlier standoff was truly dangerous.’
Jin So-cheong, wanting to avoid a direct confrontation because of the master of hidden weapons, had to endure by reluctantly accepting their combined attacks. I felt a shiver run down my spine thinking that if I had been even a moment late, the situation could have turned dire. Whoever Zhan Long was, if he utilized hidden weapons, then avoiding direct confrontation was undoubtedly the right call. Hidden weapons could be poisoned, which meant they could change the tide of battle at any time.
Zhan Long seemed to be trailing us, biding his time instead of recklessly wasting hidden weapons. After all, it was better to exploit the weaknesses born from our exertion rather than hurriedly throw them now. Soon, a mountain path would appear, and I would need to be wary of Zhan Long’s hidden weapons from the back.
Thud!
As I was running, I turned to Namgung Hwan with a question.
“Aren’t the Azure Dragon Guards coming with you?”
Namgung Hwan chuckled bitterly at my question.
“There are internal matters at play. It should be fine once we reach Hanguguan.”
“Is that really true?”
“Indeed.”
I wanted to inquire about what was happening with Namgung Hwan, but during our escape, I couldn’t afford to waste more energy on conversation. I quickly noticed one of the five pursuers subtly increasing their speed and closing the distance, so I swiftly pivoted and flung the dagger hidden in my clothing.
Swish!
“A mere dagger…”
Crash!
“Argh!”
The master using the iron chain blocked my dagger with his weapon, and with the sound of clashing metal, he was sent flying far away, screaming. The broken chain split in two, embedding itself in the ground. This caused the movements of the four others pursuing us to hesitate; their eyes must have been wide in shock. This meant that the internal energy I channeled into my dagger had greatly surpassed the strength and energy of the iron chain master.
Namgung Hwan spoke in disbelief.
“Truly… you possess monstrous internal energy… None of our clan members can compare to your level, Baek Woong.”
“Internal energy isn’t everything.”
“Such humility.”
Namgung Hwan seemed to think I was merely being modest, but I genuinely understood that ‘internal energy isn’t everything.’ As one ascends to higher levels of martial arts, comprehending Qi and enhancing martial techniques become more important than the pure attack and defense derived from internal energy.
Even if I struck with overwhelming force from above, there would somewhere be a master capable of effortlessly deflecting or countering it. Above every master, there would be another level of genius, and beyond that, there would be absolute masters who transcend all.
‘Thus, it’s essential for me to delve deeply into the martial arts at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.’
There are many ways to live a simple and comfortable life. However, feeling a lack of power will inevitably lead to limitations somewhere. To overcome that, I must explore the origins of my martial arts to the realm of masters.
At that moment.
Neigh!
Suddenly, about seven zhang ahead, Mo Yongyeon’s horse began to lose speed. As the space between her and us narrowed, the three of us instinctively sensed something. The flat path we had been traversing was ending, and we had reached the foothills of Hanguguan.
Fortunately, this mountain path was well-paved and relatively gentle, making it not too difficult to ascend. The issue was that it was still too arduous to continue riding, hence we had no choice but to dismount.
Once Mo Yongyeon got down from her horse, Namgung Hwan asked her concernedly,
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. But… I’m sweating…”
“Haha… you’re alright.”
After running hard, sweat was dripping from all our foreheads and backs. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Namgung Hwan glanced back and said,
“It seems we must settle this with those men now.”
Indeed. The distance had completely closed, and there was no longer a chance to escape. From what I had seen of Namgung Hwan shielding Mo Yongyeon, her martial skills appeared to be lacking. Though three against four was better than before, protecting Mo Yongyeon while fighting seemed to put us at a further disadvantage.
A tranquil silence loomed between us and the First-Class Experts. At that moment, one of the experts, a handsome man exuding a mysterious allure reminiscent of a courtesan, stepped forward with a sly smile. I had brushed past him in the bustling marketplace during the day.
“Azure Dragon of the Sky! As I mentioned earlier, isn’t it a bit greedy for you to monopolize the Heavenly Yin Body all for yourself?”
Namgung Hwan’s face hardened. He clenched his fist in anger and replied, “Shut your mouth, you lecherous fiend! How dare the Color Demon speak so brazenly…!!”
The Color Demon? Now that I thought about it, his appearance and demeanor bore an uncanny resemblance to the infamous tales of the Color Demon. These individuals were known for practicing techniques that enhanced their seductive qualities, which caused their looks to become increasingly feminine, often accompanied by an unpleasant odor that required them to cover up with makeup.
Color Demons were inherently perverse beings driven by unbridled lust, and many innocent women from noble families or martial artists had met their ruin by falling into their snares. Furthermore, due to their enhancement techniques, they typically possessed more internal energy than ordinary martial artists, making them harder to capture.
Jin So-cheong surveyed the three standing next to him and said, “Zhan Long, War Sword Ghost, Dagger Axe. You are all renowned First-Class Experts in Anhuizheng, yet you have come here alongside a Color Demon to forcibly claim a powerless woman?”
“……”
Zhan Long, seemingly ashamed by Jin So-cheong’s condemnation, turned his head away without replying. However, War Sword Ghost Wi Jong, undeterred, pointed his slightly bent blade at us even after clashing against my internal energy, sneering, “Ha! The Heavenly Yin Body truly is worth such embarrassment. By taking her, my internal energy would surge severalfold, allowing me to harness the Heavenly Yin Qi! I would risk my life for that!”
Next to him, Dagger Axe, a brutishly built man with the typical appearance of a rugged bandit, chimed in with a lascivious gaze as he looked over Mo Yongyeon’s curvaceous figure. “It’s just a few ships passing through the harbor, isn’t it?”
“Hahaha! Dagger Axe, your words are something else, haha!”
The Color Demon chuckled at Dagger Axe’s vulgar remarks.
“Ah…”
Mo Yongyeon, having suffered a sexual humiliation, turned pale, while her betrothed, Namgung Hwan, was flushed with anger. He gritted his teeth and said, “How dare those fools, who wouldn’t even meet my gaze in Anhuizheng…”
The Color Demon smirked. “Hahaha. Of course, in Anhuizheng, you must yield to the Namgung Clan. However, this place is the public square; your influence holds no power here. What do you plan to achieve by shouting indefinitely?”
Indeed. No matter how powerful a prominent family or sect might be, their influence typically extended only within their own territory, and very few sects could impact the entirety of the Central Plains. This dynamic drove martial artists with feuds against prominent families to escape their reach by any means necessary.
I felt uncertain about how a direct confrontation would unfold. I had crossed many lines of danger up to this point, but this was nearly my first experience in a full-fledged battle between martial artists, especially considering my complete inexperience against hidden weapons. A single miscalculation could lead to a critical injury, regardless of my internal energy.
While I did not intend to lose easily, I couldn’t help but think extensively about the difficult challenges that lay ahead. One wrong choice could yield irreversible consequences.
How should I break through this situation?
In the midst of my thoughts, I stepped forward boldly. All eyes turned toward me, especially those of the First-Class Experts, which were laced with a hint of fear. After all, they had just witnessed my astounding internal energy.
I decided to put on a show of bravado. “Those who will die in one blow are making quite a fuss. Aren’t you afraid of me?”
“Ugh…”
As I exuded my aura, the once-defiant Color Demon and Dagger Axe hesitated, taking a step back. They seemed afraid of my impending kick infused with internal energy. Zhan Long clearly regarded me warily, holding several hidden weapons between his fingers, prepared for action.
Then, War Sword Ghost Wi Jong looked at me and said, “Hmph! It’s true, Baek Woong, your internal energy is remarkable. However, your application of it is clumsy, and you leave your vital points completely undefended. If I can avoid direct contact, I can handle you on my own.”
“……”
It seemed I was not the only one who recognized our relative strengths from this brief clash today. Indeed, as War Sword Ghost Wi Jong had pointed out, when actual combat ensued, whoever landed a critical hit first would emerge victorious, irrespective of how much internal energy one possessed.
No amount of internal energy could compensate for missed attacks. Wi Jong’s techniques and footwork were exceptionally refined, allowing him to keep me at bay effectively, potentially containing me on his own.
“Yet even so, is it really worth risking your life for a woman like Mo Yongyeon?” I had already grasped the context through our conversation. The Heavenly Yin Body, Mo Yongyeon!
Though I wasn’t entirely sure, it seemed that a man who engaged with her would enhance his internal energy and acquire the special power known as Heavenly Yin Qi. That must explain why over ten First-Class Experts had been pursuing her so fervently.
Of course, I had no desire to engage in intercourse with her, let alone commit a rape. I was already exceedingly confident with my own internal energy, which had been bolstered three times by consuming the Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng. The uncertainty of the Heavenly Yin Qi was what concerned me, as it could disrupt the balance of my internal energy. Thus, I deemed it unlikely that I would ever take Mo Yongyeon.
So, I decided to taunt War Sword Ghost Wi Jong.
“To put it simply, you’re a bunch of rapists who can’t handle a single woman by themselves, so you swarm in like a pack! If you want to indulge, why not go to the Red Mansion instead of acting like a randy dog howling in the streets? Did your parents raise you this way, you bastard?”
“……”
“……”
An instant of silence enveloped the room.
‘Oh no.’
What had begun as a simple task of bringing my senior to Tianlong Martial Arts had swiftly escalated into a life-threatening ordeal, causing me to vent frustrations I had learned from my days as a ruffian. Back then, as I tackled bandits, I inevitably picked up on crass and coarse insults.
The First-Class Experts, however, were martial artists who had been properly trained under worthy masters since childhood. Few had encountered such crude vulgarities in their lives. Especially unlike the Color Demon or Dagger Axe, War Sword Ghost Wi Jong bore the marks of formal training, making him less resistant to such provocations.
Perhaps that was why War Sword Ghost Wi Jong’s expression shifted to one of anger, his face reddening as he lost his composure. It appeared that I had inadvertently provoked him successfully.
“You, you, you scoundrel!”
Swish!
He wielded his blade with far greater speed than during our earlier fight, his movements fast enough to make it seem as if he had sprouted clones. In the dim light, it was nearly impossible to discern his attacks.
‘Here it comes.’
As his curved blade lunged toward me, I shut my mouth and focused. I had been unable to gauge his techniques earlier, so this time I concentrated my internal energy into my eyes, betting everything on my dynamic vision. This way, as my energy focused, I hoped to catch a glimpse of his attacks.
Right!
Swoosh—
A shallow cut grazed my shoulder. Yet, I barely managed to evade his attack by rotating my body just in time. War Sword Ghost Wi Jong must have been genuinely shocked; he likely couldn’t believe I had escaped unscathed given his previous assessment of my abilities.
“No way?!”
As his decisive attack sliced through the air, I could see all of his flaws exposed. Without hesitation, I pivoted on my right foot and swung my sword horizontally.
Slash!
In the next moment, his body was cut in half, the upper half soaring into the air, spilling its entrails. Blood sprayed like a river, and his dismembered lower half collapsed to the ground. Wi Jong’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he could hardly accept his defeat.
With a thud, his upper body fell. Annoyed by the splatter of blood on my clothes, I wiped my face clean. Snickering at Wi Jong’s lifeless form, I remarked, “Well now, look at that—I killed you.”
The remaining three seemed startled and began to retreat.
“Ugh…”
They had assumed that with their numbers, they could rely on hidden weapons to win, but unexpectedly, the boastful War Sword Ghost Wi Jong had been sent to the afterlife in one blow.
“I will definitely obtain the Heavenly Yin Body!”
Just as expected, the Color Demon showed a look of panic, shouted something, and fled. Her movement technique was extraordinary, appearing even faster than War Sword Ghost Wi Jong. Perhaps among them, her martial prowess was the highest.
“Uh, then I’ll…”
Dagger Axe, lingering awkwardly, tried to slip away as well. However, at that moment, the Azure Dragon of the Sky, Namgung Hwan, chose to act.
Clang!
Before Dagger Axe could take two steps, Namgung Hwan’s sword soared like lightning, and Dagger Axe had no choice but to parry with his axe. But by then, he was already trapped with no easy means of escape. Dagger Axe clearly seemed weaker than Azure Dragon of the Sky Namgung Hwan.
Amid his pressing disadvantage, Dagger Axe desperately shouted, “Zhan Long! Now’s the time!”
“……”
“Zhan Long!”
But there was no response.
Swoosh!
“Cough… ugh…”
Namgung Hwan spat out, “Blame your vulgar mouth.”
In just five seconds, Namgung Hwan unleashed the Namgung Clan’s signature sword technique, The King’s Sword Method, which brutally dismembered Dagger Axe’s upper body. With the blade embedded in his neck, it tore straight through to his heart. Though Dagger Axe glared at Namgung Hwan with eyes filled with resentment, his body gradually crumpled as the sword was withdrawn.
“Boom!”
With Dagger Axe’s demise at the hands of Namgung Hwan, it seemed that the situation was nearly resolved. The only adversary remaining in the area was Zhan Long, who had stood silently without taking any action. Namgung Hwan pointed his sword at Zhan Long and spoke, “Zhan Long, you are a renowned hidden weapon master even in Anhui, and I’ve been wary of you. Yet, despite having the opportunity, you have done nothing. What are you thinking?”
“……”
Zhan Long hesitated before answering Namgung Hwan’s inquiry.
“I felt ashamed by your words, great hero. I came this far with the unyielding desire to become stronger, but upon realizing that what I intended to do was to violate a woman, my motivation has faltered.”
“Merely saying such things doesn’t absolve your crimes.”
“Hmph… Do you think I would beg for my life?”
With a bitter smile, Zhan Long continued, “Also, I did not remain inactive, I was unable to act. If I had even moved slightly, you would have attacked me, and I had no confidence in my ability to defend myself. I could have risked my life to do so, but I would have surely received a fatal wound.”
“I see…”
From Zhan Long’s words, it became apparent that Jin So-cheong, who appeared to be standing still, had actually been keeping Zhan Long in check. Thanks to that, both Namgung Hwan and I were able to slaughter our enemies with ease. Even so, the distance between us and the enemies had been significant; could it be that a master like Zhan Long could pose a lethal threat through mere deterrence?
Zhan Long turned to me and said, “Were you called Baek Woong?”
“Indeed.”
“From now on, do not engage in such reckless behavior.”
What did he mean?
“If your senior had not been here, I could have killed you more than five times in the blink of an eye. No matter how overflowing your internal energy is, your vital points are as empty as a shell. Attempting to kill you would have been child’s play; do not act so carelessly before a hidden weapon master again. If you must act, at least focus on your defensive techniques first.”
“……”
I looked at Zhan Long, who appeared to be advising me like a caring senior, utterly dumbfounded. Yet soon enough, I could see through his gaze that he was sincere. Furthermore, though Jin So-cheong did not speak, he seemed to agree with Zhan Long’s counsel. For a moment, I even forgot my earlier anger, recognizing the merit in the advice from a hidden weapon master.
‘Indeed… I am too vulnerable to hidden weapons and poison. I must train further in this regard.’
“I understand.”
As I acknowledged him, Zhan Long chuckled softly.
“Thank you for waiting until I finished speaking. Now…”
Poof!
“……!!”
Suddenly, Zhan Long produced a long needle from his sleeve and plunged it into his own temple. It occurred so quickly that there was no time to react. Surprisingly, even though the needle likely pierced his brain, almost no blood flowed, and after a brief tremor, Zhan Long collapsed forward, lifeless. He had evidently made the choice to take his own life to preserve the last shred of dignity of a martial artist.
While his method of suicide was brutally violent, it was likely a means chosen by a hidden weapon master like Zhan Long to die quickly and painlessly. Regardless of how it appeared to others, the destruction of his brain would lead to an immediate loss of consciousness, sparing him from suffering.
Namgung Hwan gazed down at Zhan Long’s corpse, speaking with a tinge of bitterness.
“He had a sense of conscience, unlike the others.”
“……”
“In that case, we must honor Zhan Long’s legacy.”
Namgung Hwan would probably place a bounty on today’s assailants once we passed beyond Hangu Pass, marking them as targets in the martial world, branding them as prey for the Namgung Clan. However, since Zhan Long chose his conscience in the end, Namgung Hwan would carry his secret to the grave, a matter that would benefit Zhan Long’s remaining friends or allies.
“Now, let’s go before more pursuers arrive.”
We then began to walk toward Hangu Pass.
‘Was that truly the right choice?’
I reflected on the recent events. If Zhan Long had been a little more cunning and executed his plan with brutality and precision, he could not only have preserved his life but also pushed us to the brink of annihilation. Indeed, had he exploited those two moments of vulnerability, it might have been perilous.
Yet still, Zhan Long chose the path of conscience. At first glance, it seemed a noble and admirable death for a martial artist. However, I felt something was amiss regarding Zhan Long’s demise. It seemed splendid, but I shook my head as I did not quite agree.
