Chapter 57: The Five Venomous Siblings-3
Chapter 57: The Five Venomous Siblings-3
Heo Gyeong, the Splitting Light Swordmaster and leader of the Mountain Sword Sect, ground his teeth as he stared at the countless warriors visible on the opposite side.
Across the plain, the Iron Palm Great Hero Hwang Jang-gon, a renowned peak-level master of Jeonghyeopbang, was arrayed in formation leading a full five hundred Jeonghyeopbang warriors.
He suddenly glanced back behind him.
Even including all the ronin, fewer than two hundred warriors met his eyes.
And even then, most of them were merely second-rate fighters whose skills fell short compared to Jeonghyeopbang.
His heart ached.
This was all because his elites had been completely annihilated in the last battle, and because Jeonghyeopbang's sudden advance had prevented them from receiving help from the Un Clan, with whom they had just formed an alliance.
Just then, the Iron Palm Great Hero Hwang Jang-gon's voice rang out.
It was a thunderous voice, laden with internal energy, that made the very air reverberate.
- I expected to see you at the last conference, but I only meet you now, Sect Leader Heo!
Those words were surely a jab, mocking the Mountain Sword Sect for proposing the conference first and then launching a cowardly ambush.
Unable to find a retort, Heo Gyeong ground his teeth again.
But Hwang Jang-gon's words were not finished.
- Ah, yes. I wonder if you've heard any news of the Vice-Sect Leader you sent in your stead back then! He asked me to convey his regards to you, Sect Leader, since he was going on a long journey! Hahahahaha!
It was not only the nearly two hundred elite warriors lost in that ambush.
Heo Jung, known as the Burning Swordmaster—a peak-level master who had been one of only two in the entire Mountain Sword Sect alongside Heo Gyeong himself—had died while ambushing Jeonghyeopbang.
To make matters worse, he was Heo Gyeong's only younger brother.
At Hwang Jang-gon's oily words, the Jeonghyeopbang warriors laughed leisurely.
The more Hwang Jang-gon spoke, the higher Jeonghyeopbang's momentum climbed, and conversely, the Mountain Sword Sect's morale sank further and further.
Unable to contain his fury, Heo Gyeong trembled violently and shouted.
- You shameless bastards! Dressed in the guise of the orthodox faction, you barge into someone else's home first and now brazenly run your mouths acting righteous! Do you feel no shame walking around with your heads held high after committing such daylight robbery, calling yourselves Jeonghyeopbang?!
Heo Gyeong's rebuttal was not half bad.
After all, it was true that Jeonghyeopbang, unbefitting the name of the orthodox faction, had invaded first.
But Hwang Jang-gon deflected it smoothly with a hearty laugh.
- Hahahaha! What is there to be ashamed of?! What is the duty of us orthodox faction members?! Is it not precisely 'Subdue Demons and Exterminate Evil'?! Therefore, attacking the evil faction's Mountain Sword Sect is nothing less than fulfilling our duty, is it not?! Hahahaha!
He possessed a truly silver tongue.
At Hwang Jang-gon's oily words, Heo Gyeong found himself at a loss for words once more.
The situation was already terrible, and now he was being outmatched in eloquence, making it impossible to oppose them with speech.
He merely ground his teeth yet again.
"You bastards!"
Furthermore, Hwang Jang-gon continued speaking.
He stopped laughing and carried on.
- Moreover, this Hwang was under the impression that the law of the evil faction was 'the law of the jungle,' yet it is highly amusing that Sect Leader Heo of the Mountain Sword Sect speaks not of survival of the fittest but of righteousness and chivalry! Have you perhaps been reborn as a member of the orthodox faction?! Hahahaha!
At Hwang Jang-gon's words, the warriors of Jeonghyeopbang burst into laughter once again, and Heo Gyeong likewise could only turn red and pale in the face without replying.
Watching this scene from hidden concealment nearby, Bi Sa-yeong muttered.
"Wow, he's strong. I don't know about his martial arts, but you can't touch him in a battle of wits."
Sak Mu-heun, who was also in hiding with him, replied.
"Even so, his martial arts won't be easy to handle. Both Heo Gyeong and Hwang Jang-gon are known as masters with over seventy years of internal energy."
At those words, Seonwoo Jin, who was beside them, shook his head and spoke.
"But at this moment, words seem more important than martial arts. The Mountain Sword Sect was already far inferior in military strength, and now even the atmosphere has completely swung in Jeonghyeopbang's favor. They're overwhelmingly dominant in the quantity and quality of troops as well as morale—today's battle looks difficult. If things go wrong, the Mountain Sword Sect could disappear today. That would be troublesome...."
The Iron Palm Great Hero Hwang Jang-gon, who was leading Jeonghyeopbang, was thinking similarly to Seonwoo Jin.
If they struck now, it seemed they could achieve a tremendous victory.
That was why Hwang Jang-gon felt a deep sense of regret.
They could finish off the Mountain Sword Sect as of today.
It was merely frustrating that he could not attack due to the faction leader's orders.
Some time ago, the Faction Leader of Jeonghyeopbang had given instructions.
'Dharma Protector Hwang, until further orders are given, pressure the Mountain Sword Sect but under no circumstances are you to erase them.'
He did not know what meaning lay behind that order, but once the command was given, Hwang Jang-gon had no choice.
Hwang Jang-gon cast his regretful gaze once more over the wavering warriors of the Mountain Sword Sect.
Rather than glaring this way and raising their fighting spirit, they merely buzzed incessantly, and those who appeared to be ronin with unstandardized attire looked as though they might flee at any moment.
But Hwang Jang-gon soon shook off his regret and smiled faintly.
'It's a shame I can't erase the Mountain Sword Sect today, but even without fighting, it seems possible to bring them to ruin well enough.'
The wily veteran understood the nature of the evil faction well.
Given that the evil faction operates according to profit rather than loyalty, he knew that once they perceived no chance of victory, they would start seeking their own survival first.
Therefore, Hwang Jang-gon decided that today's objective would be limited to demonstrating the overwhelming difference in power and completely shattering the Mountain Sword Sect's fighting spirit.
Now, if he pressed them just a little further, the terror-stricken disciples of the Mountain Sword Sect would crumble on their own without even needing to be touched.
So the next time they saw each other, wouldn't their forces be far more reduced than now without even having to fight?
They would likely be cut in half.
Thinking this, Hwang Jang-gon decided it was time to gradually put into play what he had prepared for today.
He shouted towards the Mountain Sword Sect.
- Truly! No matter how much our duty is to Subdue Demons and Exterminate Evil, I am well aware that facing you nobles in such a shabby state is discourteous! We came today simply to pay our respects, so next time we shall meet again with a proper force assembled!
Hearing those words, Bi Sa-yeong frowned and muttered.
"Huh? What's his intention? It looks like they could win easily if they fought now, and he's saying they'll just withdraw?"
Seonwoo Jin answered that question.
"I think he intends to intimidate them first. He's implying that the force shown today is only a small portion, and next time they'll come with a far larger force. But it's still puzzling. Intimidating them now can't be nearly as effective as striking directly...."
Just as Hwang Jang-gon intended, the Mountain Sword Sect warriors breathed sighs of relief yet simultaneously began to buzz with anxiety.
Even at a glance, they exuded no fighting spirit whatsoever.
Scanning over those figures with sharp eyes, Hwang Jang-gon continued speaking.
- However! Since we have met like this, wouldn't it be a shame to simply part ways?! Why don't we at least briefly exchange hands?!
At that, Heo Gyeong, who had momentarily relaxed at the promise of no fighting today, grew urgent.
Looking around, even at the suggestion to briefly exchange hands, the Mountain Sword Sect warriors were stirring restlessly.
Fear had already reached its peak among them.
Watching this, Bi Sa-yeong muttered with a pitying expression.
"Good grief. Those guys, if Hwang Jang-gon so much as shouts 'Attack!' they'll probably all turn tail and run. Aren't they a complete ragtag mob?"
"Ah, so that seems to be exactly what Hwang Jang-gon intended. If he manages to rout the Mountain Sword Sect without lifting a single finger that way, it would be truly impressive."
At that, Heo Gyeong, as if sensing something similar, hastily shouted back.
- What exactly are you proposing?!
Hwang Jang-gon replied.
- Since ancient times, our ancestors would measure their strength against one another through single duels, thereby raising their allies' morale! So how about we follow their example and test our strength against each other through one-on-one duels?!
Single duels?
At those words, Heo Gyeong's face twisted.
He, too, had heard the intelligence that, excluding Hwang Jang-gon, the enemy possessed two additional peak-level masters whose identities were unknown.
By contrast, the only peak-level master in the Mountain Sword Sect now was himself.
They said to test strength briefly, but undoubtedly their ulterior motive was to finish even him off through single combat.
However, despite this, Heo Gyeong accepted Hwang Jang-gon's proposal.
- Very well! Hwang Jang-gon! I accept your proposal! On one condition! Let the one who wins a match continue fighting! That's acceptable, isn't it?! I shall step forward from our side! If you're confident, come at me right now, Hwang Jang-gon!
Hearing Heo Gyeong's words, Bi Sa-yeong frowned and muttered.
"Isn't that reckless? They said Jeonghyeopbang has two more unknown peak-level masters, didn't they?"
At that, Sak Mu-heun shook his head.
"No, on the contrary, he seems to have thought this might be an opportunity. Isn't it a situation where a full-scale battle means certain defeat? But single duels are a different story. Moreover, if the winner continues fighting, wouldn't it be possible for Heo Gyeong to defeat Hwang Jang-gon and the other two peak-level masters in succession?"
Seonwoo Jin agreed as well.
"That's right. If he loses, everything ends anyway, so this is an opportunity Heo Gyeong absolutely cannot afford to miss. An opportunity to overturn everything. Hwang Jang-gon seemed like an extremely intelligent man—I can't understand why he would give them such an opportunity."
But as if to answer Seonwoo Jin's question, Hwang Jang-gon burst into laughter again and shouted.
- Hahahaha! Sect Leader Heo, you are impatient! But how could we say the leaders should just step forward and simply test each other's strength?! How about this?! Sect Leader Heo and I, of course, as well as the peak-level masters, shall not take part in the duel! If possible, we should give the young ones a chance to raise their fame — is that not the duty of seniors?!"
At his words, Heo Gyeong's expression grew strange.
It was somewhat disappointing that this was not an opportunity to completely turn the situation around, but if peak-level masters did not step forward, it certainly could not be seen as purely disadvantageous for their side.
Rather, it seemed like a chance to raise morale, which had been hitting rock bottom.
Heo Gyeong ultimately agreed readily.
- Good! Let us do it that way!
With the duel thus arranged, Seonwoo Jin's eyes glinted as he spoke.
"This could be an opportunity for us as well, Lee Geon."
"Hmm? What kind of opportunity?"
"An opportunity to infiltrate the Jeonghyeopbang side while everyone's attention is focused on the one-on-one duels."
At those words, Sak Mu-heun's gaze also sharpened.
"Is it to confirm the identities of those peak-level masters whose backgrounds are unknown?"
"Yes, let us verify whether or not they are demon heads of the Blood Cult. And if they are Blood Cult demon heads..."
At Seonwoo Jin's words, Sak Mu-heun and Bi Sa-yeong nodded.
The three of them relayed the plan to the other companions mingled among the Sangeommun ronin, then concealed themselves and began circling around toward the Jeonghyeopbang side.
At the same time, Sect Leader Heo Gyeong of Sangeommun promptly named I Gong-san, the vice-leader of the guard unit, as his champion.
I Gong-san, still in his early thirties, already possessed first-rate intermediate-level martial prowess and was a promising talent Heo Gyeong had been keeping his eye on.
"Vice-Leader I, I trust you know this duel is no ordinary duel. You must absolutely win!"
"Yes! Sect Leader! Leave it to me!"
After giving Heo Gyeong a disciplined closed-fist salute, I Gong-san immediately prepared to launch his lightness arts toward the battlefield.
But just as he was about to leap forward, he froze at the sight of the person emerging from the Jeonghyeopbang side.
I Gong-san, with a troubled expression, looked back at Heo Gyeong and said.
"S-Sect Leader, but the one coming out as the opponent is..."
"Hmm? What about the opponent...? What? A woman?!"
Indeed.
The champion emerging from Jeonghyeopbang was a woman.
A young and beautiful woman at that.
Heo Gyeong shouted in fury.
- Sending out a mere girl for a sacred duel! What is the meaning of this, Hwang Jang-gon?!
An answer promptly returned.
- Hahaha! Do not be too agitated, Sect Leader Heo! Even in a proper meal, there are appetizers before the main course, are there not?! What fun would it be to watch rough, burly men fight from the very start?! Our Jeonghyeopbang has quite a few talented young female warriors, so to liven up the atmosphere, I wanted to give them a chance first! Even if Sangeommun has no female warriors, do not worry too much! You could just send out a male warrior who is like a woman, could you not?! Hahahaha!
At Hwang Jang-gon's answer, Heo Gyeong ground his teeth once more.
Of course it was like this — there was no way that man would do anything that benefited them.
In a duel where both sides' morale hung in the balance, the opponent being a woman was no simple matter.
First of all, Sangeommun had very few female warriors.
And even if they had some, none were skilled enough to put forward.
Yet they could not send out a male warrior either.
If a male warrior went out and won, it would only break even, but if by any chance he lost, the humiliation would be beyond words.
Moreover, that raccoon-like Hwang Jang-gon would not have sent out just any woman.
He must have sent out someone skilled enough to defeat any man who came out.
Heo Gyeong's worries were deepening.
It was then.
Suddenly, a small-framed, cute-looking woman soared up from among the ronin and landed before Heo Gyeong.
Tak!
At her abrupt approach, Heo Gyeong's guards drew their swords and kept her in check.
"Who are you?!"
But she, as if not even seeing the guards' threat, smiled brightly and gave Heo Gyeong a closed-fist salute.
"I greet you for the first time, Sect Leader! I am Cheon Ju-eun, the youngest of the Doksu Five Siblings!"
At her lively, charming voice, Heo Gyeong frowned and repeated the name.
"Hmm? Doksu Five Siblings? Cheon Ju-eun, you say?"
At that, External Steward Heo Jeon-sam hurriedly approached and said.
"Did I not mention it to you before? The ones we brought in with difficulty from Zhejiang Province..."
Only upon hearing that could Heo Gyeong recall. He remembered Heo Jeon-sam suddenly coming to him and making a fuss about having brought trustworthy ronin.
Back then, he had inwardly wondered what all the fuss was about just for bringing some unknown ronin he had never even heard of...
Heo Gyeong suddenly felt he had a rough idea of why she had come looking for him now, and his eyes brightened as he spoke.
"Well then, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cheon. But I suspect there is a reason you have sought me out at this very moment?"
Cheon Ju-eun answered with her characteristic cute smile.
"If you grant me the opportunity, I wish to represent Sangeommun and deliver a lesson to the hypocrites of Jeonghyeopbang!"
It was the valiant declaration he had expected.
At Cheon Ju-eun's words, which he could not have wished for more, Heo Gyeong smiled with satisfaction.
Whoever it was, if a woman stepped forward, there was no reason to refuse.
Even if she lost, he thought a duel between women would not carry much weight.
And even if the opposing woman turned out to be a female master too formidable to handle, could they not then say "now let us fight seriously" and steer things toward duels between men?
Heo Gyeong answered magnanimously.
"Very well! Miss Cheon! If Miss Cheon upholds the honor of myself, Heo, and Sangeommun, I shall reward you generously!"
Having heard the words she was waiting for, Cheon Ju-eun smiled brightly, gave a closed-fist salute, and immediately launched herself upward.
Hwaak!
She soared into the air in an instant, covering a distance of four jang in a single bound.
At that bouncing, swift movement, the warriors of Sangeommun burst out in admiration.
"Oooooh!"
But it did not end with just one.
Just as she seemed about to descend to the ground after covering four jang, she bounced off the earth like a rubber ball — tong! — and soared into the air again, and after repeating that five times, she landed in an instant right before the Jeonghyeopbang woman who was waiting.
The Sangeommun warriors erupted in cheers.
"Woaaaaah!"
"What incredible lightness arts!"
"Is she not like some kind of cat?! So nimble... how can she be so cute at the same time?!"
"She is truly a young lady who looks like a doll! Miss, you are beautiful!"
Looking at the warriors cheering for her and smiling brightly once more, Cheon Ju-eun gave a closed-fist salute and greeted the woman who had come out from Jeonghyeopbang and was waiting for her.
"I am called Cheon Ju-eun, the youngest of the Doksu Five Siblings."
The three who had been moving toward the Jeonghyeopbang side while concealed had to halt their movement for a moment, flustered at the sight of Cheon Ju-eun stepping forward as the champion.
Sak Mu-heun asked Seonwoo Jin via telepathic transmission.
- Will that young lady be all right? I understood that compared to Sahae Cheong-yeon or Miss Na, her skills are lacking?
Seonwoo Jin and Bi Sa-yeong were equally worried.
Cheon Ju-eun felt more like the cute youngest sister of the 7th Squad than a comrade they could entrust their backs to.
That was partly due to her cute appearance, of course, but it was also true that she was still lacking considerably in skill.
But Seonwoo Jin soon decided to shake off the worry.
- She probably came out with Miss Yeon's permission. If Miss Yeon judged it was fine, then it will be fine.
Seonwoo Jin could not fully trust Cheon Ju-eun's skill, but he could fully trust Hae Cheong-yeon's judgment.
For Seonwoo Jin, Hae Cheong-yeon was a wise person he could trust more than anyone else.
While Seonwoo Jin's party resumed their movement, the opponent standing opposite Cheon Ju-eun also glared at her with sharp eyes and returned a closed-fist salute.
"I am Ji Sang-im, youngest of the Three Daughters of Ji Sword of Jeonghyeopbang."
The thought Sangeommun Sect Leader Heo Gyeong had earlier had been accurate.
The three sisters of the Three Daughters of Ji Sword, hailing from the renowned sword family of Ji Sword Estate, one of the prestigious houses of Sichuan Province, were all famed female martial artists in Sichuan.
They were confident they would not lose to any man who came out, and especially the youngest, Ji Sang-im, who was the most beautiful of the three sisters, had volunteered as the vanguard first, wishing to show off her beauty and fame at this opportunity.
That had been the case, but...
"Doksu Five Siblings? Who is that?"
"Cheon Ju-eun, you say? Was there ever such a cute female martial artist?"
"How can she be so cute and yet so nimble?"
The murmuring sounds around her were only about Cheon Ju-eun before her eyes, and not about Ji Sang-im herself.
It was not even just the Sangeommun warriors' side.
Behind Ji Sang-im, even the Jeonghyeopbang warriors were stirring, paying attention not to Ji Sang-im, but to that little girl-like woman in front of her.
Ji Sang-im could not contain her boiling jealousy and rage.
'How dare this underdeveloped little brat try to steal the chance for me to shine. I shall never forgive this. I will make you a sacrifice for my fame right here!'
Ji Sang-im did not delay and immediately drew her sword, shouting.
Chaeng!
"Let us begin at once!"
At her words, Cheon Ju-eun smiled brightly as well, and placed her hand on the dao strapped to her waist, assuming a drawing stance.
Her small frame, lowering its posture and crouching, looked just like a wildcat coiling itself tightly.