Chapter 28: Pride of the Four Hegemons - Dark Sky Martial Emperor

Sagong Wun headed toward the Patriarch Hall alongside his two close confidants, while the escort warriors were guided toward the Guest Hall by martial artists of the Namgung Clan.

Taking into account their sensitive relations with the other noble families, guiding them to an isolated pavilion was sensible enough. The problem, however, was that the pavilion was far too cramped to accommodate forty men. In its place, a massive tent had been pitched directly beside it.

'Surely not...'

'They can't seriously expect us to sleep in that, can they?'

The guide spoke with cool indifference.

"Due to the summit, our accommodations are thoroughly overwhelmed with guests. We ask for your understanding."

"......!"

The escort guards' faces hardened into stone, but before anyone could voice an objection, the man turned on his heel and vanished into the estate.

"What in the world is the meaning of this?"

"Even on the road, we slept comfortably in inn beds!"

"Pitching a single tent in this freezing cold and telling us to make do? Is that it?"

It was midwinter. Relying on a lone sheet of canvas against the biting frost was asking too much.

Yet as disgruntled complaints erupted on all sides, Squad Leader Wu remained remarkably composed.

"Please, calm yourselves and understand—if only for the Hall Master's sake. From the Namgung Clan's perspective, this was likely the greatest courtesy they could bring themselves to show."

‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Urgh..."

Before ever setting foot in the Namgung Clan estate, Sagong Wun had already cautioned his retinue.

"This visit to the Namgung Clan is largely by my own insistence. Naturally, we will not be welcomed with open arms. Even should you encounter discourtesy, bear it with patience for my sake."

Wu Il-gi pressed on, his tone measured and steady. "Once the Hall Master returns, I will raise the matter with the Namgung Clan. For now, please wait."

With Squad Leader Wu speaking so reasonably, the warriors could hardly press the issue further.

"Well... if you say so."

"Understood."

"Thank you for your understanding. Rest comfortably until the Hall Master arrives."

Squad Leader Wu might have appeared excessively deferential at that moment, but having observed him throughout their journey, Dokgo Jin knew otherwise. When issuing commands, the man was as sharp and decisive as a drawn blade, and if anyone showed the slightest negligence, he rebuked them without hesitation. Yet on this occasion, recognizing that the warriors had every right to feel aggrieved, ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he chose to soothe them with tact and gentle persuasion.

Watching Squad Leader Wu manage the men, Dokgo Jin caught a clear glimpse of Sagong Wun's principles of leadership.

'Strict impartiality, total transparency—and respect.'

Respect, in particular, was no easy virtue to maintain within a colossal behemoth like the Northern Heavenly Alliance. Handled poorly, it easily degraded into laxity and insubordination. Yet Sagong Wun walked that fine line with exacting precision.

'He certainly commands genuine loyalty for a reason.'

It was while the escort unit settled down to rest that a group of youths strolled past.

They were six young men and women, appearing to be rising stars from the Eight Great Clans. Chatting and laughing blithely amongst themselves, they paused upon noticing the escort unit resting beneath the tent and began to whisper.

"Who are they?"

"That's the banner of the Northern Heavenly Alliance. Wait, are they actually resting under a tent?"

"Looks like it."

"As expected of the Namgung Clan. Even the Four Hegemons have no choice but to bow their heads here."

A youth clad in the martial robes of the Namgung Clan spoke with a smug, complacent smirk. "The Four Hegemons may hold sway over the Central Plains, but how could they dare act haughty inside our own estate?"

"Hahaha! Brother Namgung speaks the truth! If they don't want a harsh lesson, they'd best know their place."

Finding the scene immensely amusing, they laughed continuously as they cast mocking glances toward the escort retinue.

"......"

Hearing the mockery, several masters among the escort guards clenched their jaws until their teeth ground together.

'Those insolent little brats...!'

'Do they have any idea who we are?'

Flushed with indignation, several warriors moved to step forward, only to be held back by their comrades.

"Remember the Hall Master's instructions."

"Aye, let it go. What could wet-behind-the-ears whelps like that possibly know?"

"Just wait until they step out into Jianghu. We'll teach them firsthand just how terrifying the Northern Heavenly Alliance truly is."

Feeling the murderous glares piercing toward them, the youths flinched.

"Ahem. Let us be on our way."

"Agreed."

Just as the juniors prepared to move on, another retinue of martial artists came into view.

"......!"

The moment the escort guards identified the crest fluttering on their banner, their expressions hardened.

"Holy Sword Heaven! It's Holy Sword Heaven!"

There were around twenty of them, each exuding an extraordinary presence. In fact, their aura appeared even a cut above that of the escort guards. An acute tension rippled across the grounds.

"......"

Among the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains, Holy Sword Heaven and the Northern Heavenly Alliance maintained comparatively amicable relations. Yet 'amicable' was purely relative; whenever their paths crossed in the martial world, baring fangs and trading blows was par for the course.

Dokgo Jin recognized their affiliation from the characters stitched over the left lapel of their martial robes.

'Heavenly Gang... They belong to the Heavenly Gang Corps.'

Just as the Northern Heavenly Alliance possessed the Five Banners of Northern Heaven, Holy Sword Heaven commanded the Four Great Sword Pillars. Among those four pillars, the Heavenly Gang Corps was renowned as the second in rank.

The destination they were heading toward was a fairly grand pavilion, situated well apart from the crude tent where the escort unit was quartered.

"Tch, they get a proper pavilion."

"No kidding."

Catching sight of Holy Sword Heaven's arrival, the lingering juniors stopped ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dead in their tracks.

"Well, isn't this fascinating? Holy Sword Heaven and the Northern Heavenly Alliance—two of the Four Hegemons, crossing paths right here at the Namgung Clan!"

"Don't you think something is about to happen?"

"Oh, this is going to be good!"

"Surely neither side will back down, right?"

"Of course not! The pride of the Four Hegemons is at stake!"

They raised their voices deliberately, ensuring the escort retinue caught every word. Naturally, neither ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the escort guards nor the Heavenly Gang Corps missed a single syllable.

At the head of the Heavenly Gang contingent, the lead warrior came to a halt.

"......"

He was a sturdy, middle-aged sword master, radiating the sharpest, most lethal aura among their ranks. His gaze locked squarely onto Squad Leader Wu.

"I am Seomun San, Squad Leader of the 2nd Heaven Squad of the Heavenly Gang Corps."

"...Wu Il-gi, Escort Squad Leader of the Cloud Sea Palace."

Seomun San cast a sideways glance toward the youths. "Did you hear what they said?"

Wu Il-gi gave a slow, measured nod.

"Had we not heard it, that would be one thing. But having heard such talk, one can hardly just walk away. Wouldn't you agree?"

Wu Il-gi replied placidly, "They are mere children who know nothing of the world. I hardly see the need to pay them any mind."

Seomun San nodded as if in concurrence. "What Squad Leader Wu says is true. However, it is an undeniable fact that those whelps looked down on us. They may blabber behind our backs all they like, but doing so right to our faces is quite another matter."

"......!"

His chilled tone sent a sudden shiver down the juniors' spines.

"Of course, that doesn't mean we can lay hands on juniors within the Namgung Clan's estate. So how about it, Squad Leader Wu? Shall we give them a taste of what caliber martial artists from the Four Hegemons truly possess?"

"What are you proposing?"

"Heh, playing dumb won't do you any good. I imagine you're holding back because the Master of Cloud Sea Palace told you to keep quiet, but since when did we of the Four Hegemons tiptoe around others?"

"......"

"Let us have a bout. Having the commanders clash would escalate things needlessly, so let us put forward suitable subordinates."

Squad Leader Wu's eyes flashed.

When challenged so openly, refusing would stain the honor of the Northern Heavenly Alliance.

"Very well. Send forth someone strong. We shall do the same."

"Hahaha! Spoken like a true man of the Northern Heavenly Alliance. So be it."

And thus, the duel with Holy Sword Heaven was sealed.

The martial grounds adjoined to the Guest Hall were suffused with a taut, suffocating tension. The escort retinue of the Cloud Sea Palace and the 2nd Heaven Squad of Holy Sword Heaven lined up on opposing sides. Behind them, unable to suppress their curiosity, the young scions of the great clans gathered to watch.

It was then that the leader of the 2nd Heaven Squad sent a discreet sound transmission.

[I shall give you fair warning. We intend to field our Vice Squad Leader. Publicly, of course, we will claim he is merely an ordinary squad member.]

His intentions were transparent. By presenting their Vice Squad Leader under the guise of an ordinary member and displaying overwhelming dominance, he aimed not only to etch Holy Sword Heaven's majesty into the minds of the spectating juniors, but also to secure an effortless victory in the duel.

[Therefore, you had best send someone of equal caliber if you wish to avoid total humiliation.]

Wu Il-gi let out a faint chuckle.

[That will be no trouble at all. However, I wonder if your esteemed unit's Vice Squad Leader will be able to handle what comes next.]

A flicker of intrigue crossed Seomun San's eyes.

[Oho. You appeared to be a hastily assembled escort squad, yet you harbor a hidden ace?]

[That is the true depth of our Alliance.]

[Such boundless confidence. Keep in mind, our Vice Squad Leader is on an entirely different level from the vice commanders of ordinary martial units.]

Seomun San's boast was no empty exaggeration.

Beneath the Heavenly Gang Corps, the absolute elite of Holy Sword Heaven, there existed only four operational combat units: 1st Heaven, 2nd Heaven, 1st Gang, and 2nd Gang. While far fewer in number than the squads under the Northern Five Banners, each man was an elite capable of standing against a hundred foes. In particular, while the squad leaders might be evenly matched, it was widely acknowledged throughout Jianghu that the vice squad leaders of the Heavenly Gang Corps were a cut above their counterparts in the Five Banners.

"Take care of it," Seomun San said quietly.

With his squad leader's word, a man stepped forth from Holy Sword Heaven's ranks.

Step.

He was not a tall man—if anything, slightly shorter than average—yet his broad shoulders and dense frame gave him an imposing presence that could hardly be called small. With every step he took, the stone flagstones beneath his boots vibrated with a faint, deep resonance.

'Heavy...'

Dokgo Jin's eyes narrowed.

The man's muscles were compressed like solid rock, and his center of gravity was anchored flawlessly into his lower body. He possessed the sheer stability of a walking iron pillar.

Above all, the weapon slung across his back drew the eye: an unadorned, crude iron sword completely devoid of ornamentation. Its length appeared ordinary, but the thickness of the blade was easily three times that of a standard sword.

'A heavy sword.'

A weapon forged not for razor sharpness, but for crushing weight; designed not for evasive footwork, but for unyielding defense. In many ways, he was the purest embodiment of the Heavenly Gang Corps' martial style.

"Neung Wi-gwan of Holy Sword Heaven's 2nd Heaven Squad."

His voice was low, carrying a gritty metallic rasp. Even without raising his tone, the weighty aura he emanated pressed heavily upon the air of the training grounds.

Watching from the sidelines, the young scions swallowed dryly. His aura far exceeded anything they had anticipated.

'A warrior of that caliber is just an ordinary member?'

'Absurd...'

Neung Wi-gwan's impassive gaze swept over the escort retinue.

Without a moment's hesitation, Squad Leader Wu glanced over his shoulder. His eyes locked straight onto Dokgo Jin.

"Dragon Tiger Plaque Master, I leave this in your hands."

"Understood."

From the moment Dokgo Jin laid eyes on Neung Wi-gwan, he knew that none of the ordinary escort warriors stood a chance against him. Mok Woo-jeon was still merely a guest and could not officially represent the Northern Heavenly Alliance, while Tang Pung-yeong's poisons and hidden weapons were ill-suited for a formal public spar.

In the end, Dokgo Jin was the only one who could step up.

In contrast to Neung Wi-gwan, who stood as steadfast as a boulder, Dokgo Jin looked exceedingly ordinary in his simple martial robes, with an unadorned sword slung at his waist.

Neung Wi-gwan had already assumed a combat stance, releasing a dense wave of qi that staked out his domain. Anyone stepping within that radius would instantly feel as though they were being crushed under immense pressure.

Tap, tap.

Yet Dokgo Jin strolled through that menacing pressure as casually as taking a morning walk.

Neung Wi-gwan's thick brows twitched.

'My pressure isn't affecting him?'

The moment anyone stepped into the domain of his heavy sword, their shoulders would grow heavy and their breathing ragged. Yet this man advanced with utter composure, completely unbothered.

'So he is no ordinary opponent after all.'

Neung Wi-gwan did not know who Dokgo Jin was, but since the man had stepped forward on behalf of the Northern Heavenly Alliance, he had no intention of letting his guard down for even an instant.

The two men came to a halt three zhang apart—roughly nine meters. Though some distance separated them, to masters of their caliber, it was practically point-blank range.

Dokgo Jin spoke.

"Dokgo Jin of the Northern Heavenly Alliance's Iron Soul Unit."

"The Iron Soul Unit... So you hail from the White Tiger Banner."

Neung Wi-gwan slowly drew the massive heavy sword from his back.

Shhh-claaang!

The heavy scrape of the blade leaving its scabbard reverberated with a deep, resonant hum.

"Then let us begin."

"......"

The moment Dokgo Jin's fingers closed around the hilt of Extinction, Neung Wi-gwan moved as if he had been waiting for that exact instant.

KABOOM!

The stone flagstones beneath his boots shattered to pieces, and Neung Wi-gwan shot forward like an artillery shell.

Dark Sky Martial Emperor

Pride of the Four Hegemons

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