Chapter 116 - Hunting the Heavyweights (1)
The young man in white robes was named Jin-myeong. It was not his secular name but his Taoist title from the Wudang Sect, and at just over twenty years old, he had risen to lead the martial force known as the Jinmu Pavilion, marking him as a rising star.
Jin-myeong explained the operation plan to Yeon-hoo. Throughout the briefing, Yeon-hoo couldn't hide his admiration. The plan could shift fluidly with circumstances, but if they followed Jin-myeong's outline to the letter, success seemed inevitable.
Yet there was a problem. Yeon-hoo had no idea of the martial prowess of those participating in the operation.
"How many peak experts do you have?"
"Around five, I'd say."
"Including those who agreed to join you?"
"No. That's just us from Wudang."
"Then what about them?"
"Well..."
Jin-myeong hesitated to answer. Yeon-hoo narrowed his eyes.
"At this point, don't you think it's time to tell me about your allies?"
"..."
Jin-myeong still wavered. Though he had agreed to work with Yeon-hoo, he couldn't fully trust him yet.
"You don't trust me, do you."
"That's part of it... but they're very precious people to us. Even if the operation fails by some fluke, their identities must be strictly protected."
"Do you want this to succeed?"
"Of course."
"Then tell me the full details of your Wudang forces and theirs. I need to know to maximize our chances."
"Why don't you reveal your identity first?"
"I won't disclose who I am unless I've decided to kill you all or if you think I'm on your side. So don't ask again until I volunteer it myself."
"..."
Jin-myeong was inwardly impressed. In all his life, he'd never encountered someone who exuded such overwhelming presence. Despite the casual disrespect from the start, it didn't grate—in fact, it felt utterly natural.
He seems trustworthy somehow.
Jin-myeong decided to trust his instincts.
"The Hwasan Sect has agreed to join us."
"Hwasan?"
Hwasan was another emerging force that had been increasingly active lately. Based on Mount Hua in Shaanxi Province, it was a Taoist sword sect like Wudang and counted among the Nine Great Sects.
"They have about the same number of peak experts as us, but two super peak masters. I devised the plan, but one of them will take command during the operation."
"Nonsense. I'll be in command."
"..."
"First, I need to meet them."
Yeon-hoo stepped down from the rock. Jin-myeong let out a hollow chuckle. It was the attitude of someone who acknowledged no one above him. But to Jin-myeong's eyes, it didn't seem arrogant at all.
To think someone could overwhelm even me, Jin-myeong.
"You coming or not?"
"...Let's go."
* * *
True to its reputation as a vital crossroads, the official roads stretched endlessly like a spider's web, and from the mountaintop, they resembled dozens of massive serpents writhing below.
A group moved stealthily toward one of those roads. About thirty in number? Dressed in varied attire with crude masks over their faces, their common trait was the swords at their sides. But the two at the front went unmasked, their deep, serene gazes betraying their status as seasoned masters.
It was the warriors of the Hwasan Sect. Alongside Wudang, they were building fame as a sword sect. Their presence in the world was still faint, but united by supreme pride and unyielding resolve against evil, their steps were light and swift.
"That's the spot, Senior Brother. We're to link up with Wudang there."
"How much time left?"
"About half a shichen."
"Then we'll enter the woods and rest until then."
"Understood."
"You lot, don't take your eyes off the signal team for a second."
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
A few warriors stayed out of the woods, climbing instead to the crowns of great trees opposite. Cheong-gong, who had led the disciples from Hwasan to this place with his lightness skill, quenched his thirst with water from his junior Cheong-myeong and muttered with furrowed brows.
"I hear one of the Golden Merchant Group's escort teams was wiped out. I hope Wudang didn't suffer heavy losses..."
"Don't worry. The Jinmu Pavilion Master may be young, but he's rich in experience, with sharp and precise judgment. He wouldn't charge in recklessly, so they shouldn't have taken major hits."
"It had better be that way, but if an entire escort was annihilated, Wudang must have bled too. I'm worried this might botch the real operation."
"Let's wait and see."
Whoooosh!
The wind was picking up. The woods shook with it, creating the perfect conditions for an ambush.
How long had they waited? A warrior atop a tree scanning north called out softly.
"Martial Uncle, the Golden Merchant Group's escort is coming down."
"Hm. Much faster than expected."
Cheong-gong leaped onto a tree branch. Gazing north, he saw a group descending slowly from the curving end of the road. The golden flag symbolizing the Golden Merchant Group fluttered—undoubtedly the target escort.
Cheong-gong frowned.
"Looks like we miscalculated. This time gap is significant..."
"Wudang might not make it in time."
"The road winds, and there's still distance. Let's wait a bit more."
"What if they don't link up?"
"..."
Cheong-gong couldn't answer immediately. He'd never considered Wudang failing to arrive. Cheong-myeong pressed cautiously.
"If they don't make it by some chance, we cancel. Their forces are too strong for us alone."
"Don't think so negatively—it might work out. We still have time."
"Still, we should warn the disciples to prepare mentally."
Cheong-gong grimaced, then nodded.
"Fine. If Wudang doesn't show, we abort."
"Understood."
Cheong-gong turned his gaze toward where Wudang should appear. But there was no sign of them.
Whoooosh!
The fierce wind rocked the trees. Cheong-gong let it sway him as he waited.
About the time it takes to eat a meal later?
"Martial Uncle, look over there."
Cheong-gong followed his disciple's point. A band of men and horses raced north along the road.
"Golden Merchant Group elites, it seems."
"Hm..."
Cheong-gong's face hardened. If they were elites, things were grave. Even if Wudang arrived at full strength, they might have to scrap the plan.
Cheong-myeong said gravely.
"They must have tightened security after the consecutive escort attacks. And with Wang-jeok's son there..."
That was when it happened.
"Martial Uncle! Incoming foes!"
A shout erupted from the opposite woods. Metal clashed, followed by screams.
Clang!
"Argh!"
Cheong-gong whipped around instinctively, the sight of yellow-robed men assaulting his disciples searing into his eyes like daggers.
Golden Merchant Group!
Thud!
Cheong-gong dropped to the ground, Cheong-myeong and the others following. His sword flashed with azure light, cleaving the air. A yellow-robe's head flew clean off.
Thwack!
"Gah!"
Cheong-myeong followed, severing one throat and slashing at another.
Clang!
His second strike was blocked. Staring at the yellow-robe blocking him, Cheong-myeong's eyes trembled.
Zzzing...
The powerful shock traveled up his wrist, numbing his entire right arm in an instant.
A master...
Killing intent flared in the foe's eyes.
"Daring to target our caravan? I'll tear you all apart!"
Clang!
The yellow-robe unleashed a furious barrage. Cheong-myeong parried while retreating. He could hold his own, but the woods behind the enemy unnerved him.
And sure enough—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dozens of yellow-robes burst from the rear woods. Cheong-myeong's face turned to stone. Their lightness skill was impressive, but their numbers were overwhelming.
...Dangerous! If we miss the retreat window, we're all dead here.
Cheong-myeong feinted a flurry at the yellow-robe, then dashed to Cheong-gong's back and urged desperately.
"Senior Brother! Too many enemies!"
"Fall back."
Cheong-gong ordered retreat without hesitation—he'd already grasped the dire situation. Cheong-myeong bellowed with infused qi.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
Hwasan warriors pulled back in unison. A few collapsed, spraying blood.
That was when—
"Hmph! Who said you could?"
A cold snort echoed as figures dropped into the fray. Two middle-aged men in azure robes this time. As they landed, the Golden Merchant elites halted their assault and encircled Hwasan, sealing the retreat.
Cheong-gong's face hardened harder than stone. He bit his lip until it bled in surging despair.
My judgment was slow. We should have pulled back before they arrived...
More than the numbers, the two azure-robes filled him with dread. Masters recognize masters. He instinctively knew they matched him.
Demonic cultivators. And at the pinnacle...
Their pupils swirled blood-red. As the crimson deepened, their demonic qi swelled.
To think the Golden Merchant Group employs demons...
This was crucial intel. If it spread, the backlash would be immense. Even the Golden Merchant Group couldn't escape White Night Cartel's scrutiny.
But would they live to spread it? Survival was the priority now.
One azure-robe approached Cheong-gong and asked coldly.
"Reveal yourselves. Do, and I'll spare you the torture before death."
"Shut your mouth!"
"You two might have lived enough, but those kids? You want them writhing in agony? If so, we'll oblige. Fair warning... pains beyond imagination await. Heh heh heh."
Chirrrk.
Blood-light gathered at the azure-robe's sword tip, reflecting into Cheong-gong's eyes and staining them red.
That was when—
"Filthy demons yapping away! We'll die before letting scum like you take us!"
A shout rang out like a cry. Hwasan's youngest-looking warrior. His face was grim, but his eyes blazed with resolve.
"A pup who hasn't even dried his blood..."
Killing light burst from the azure-robe's eyes.
That was when—a streak of white light silently hurtled toward the back of his head.
Flash.