Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Dragons and Tigers Gather at the Lake (1)
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The massacre of the Nangong Clan warriors by Damho never became public knowledge.
The only witnesses were a handful of people, including Cheo Yeon-un. They had no desire for word of the tragedy caused by Damho to spread outside, so they kept silent.
Though the incident was quietly covered up, the embers of conflict still smoldered.
It wasn't just any event—it was the annihilation of the Golden Sword Squad, which the Nangong Clan had painstakingly cultivated. The clan could not simply let it slide.
"Uncle, we can't just sit here like this."
Nangong Su argued vehemently.
His broken arm was splinted and wrapped in white cloth, making him look utterly pitiful.
Nangong Chang let out a quiet sigh as he gazed at Nangong Su.
The hair at his temples had turned stark white overnight. Gray strands now blanketed his ears, which hadn't been visible the day before.
"The Nangong Clan's honor has hit rock bottom. If we let that bastard get away with this, people will mock us for sure."
Nangong Su spat out his words in a frenzy. His eyes were bloodshot. Nangong Chang understood his nephew's reaction.
He had charged ahead without fear of the world, tasting success at every turn, only to suffer his first real setback. His wounded pride fueled his rage.
In contrast, Nangong Chang grew even more cautious.
Having personally experienced Damho's unbelievable prowess, Nangong Chang couldn't have imagined such a warrior existed if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
Damho possessed something beyond the rumors.
His terror was something only those who clashed with him directly could comprehend. There was something primal about him that instilled fear in people.
It couldn't be conveyed through words or writing.
His presence evoked a single term from the hazy recesses of memory.
'The Four Divine Emperors. Could he be connected to them somehow?'
But he quickly shook his head.
It had been over thirty years since they vanished from the world. It was too much of a leap to think someone linked to them had now reemerged.
"Uncle!"
Nangong Su's voice snapped him from his reverie.
Nangong Chang looked up at his nephew and saw his teeth clenched tight.
Finally, Nangong Chang spoke.
"We must endure."
"The Nangong Clan's reputation is in the dirt. How can we endure that?"
"We must endure anyway."
"Uncle!"
"A gentleman's revenge is not too late even after ten years. We endure no matter what right now."
"How are we supposed to endure?"
"Su-ya."
Strength entered Nangong Chang's voice, making Nangong Su flinch. Nangong Chang stared straight at him.
"Do you think my heart isn't burning? I'm more devastated than you. Those Golden Sword Squad kids were like my own nephews to me. How could I forget their deaths? And yet I endure. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"The formation of the Murim Alliance is an unstoppable tide of the era. It's a done deal. Countless sects will join it and compete for control. We'll do the same."
"But what does that have to do with this...?"
"It has everything to do with it. What if word gets out that we lost the entire Golden Sword Squad to a single man named Damho?"
"..."
"Have you imagined it?"
"That would be...?"
"They'll see our main branch as weakened and laugh at us. One or two sects wouldn't matter, but if it's the entire murim?"
Nangong Su had no reply. Nangong Chang stared at him intently.
"We endure until our clan seizes control of the Murim Alliance. Revenge can wait until then."
"Ugh!"
"Didn't you see it yourself? No ordinary force can harm him. We'd need at least the Sword Kings Squad from the main branch to stand a chance."
"That... strong?"
Nangong Su's eyes shook violently.
The Sword Kings Squad was the Nangong Clan's final safeguard.
The former head of the clan before last, Nangong Seon-wol, had deemed the existing organizations insufficient to protect the family.
He secretly selected prodigies and trained them through special methods, pouring in countless elixirs and manuals from the Nangong Clan.
After decades of effort, the Sword Kings Squad was born. They served the clan generation after generation, appearing only in times of utter crisis.
Their last appearance had been thirty years ago, during the Demonic Cult's invasion.
They had slaughtered over a thousand elite Demonic Cult warriors who breached the clan's walls, showcasing their immense power to the world. Though their red masks hid their identities, it was widely known they were the Sword Kings Squad.
Once the invasion ended, they vanished without a trace, returning to their everyday roles as the clan's guardians.
Only the clan head knew the members' identities—and only he held the authority to command them.
Deploying the Sword Kings Squad meant the Nangong Clan and the entire murim faced collapse.
No matter their high positions, neither Nangong Chang nor Nangong Su could move them at will.
Nangong Su ground his teeth.
It was now clear.
Damho was a powerhouse who warranted the Sword Kings Squad.
He was leagues beyond the young geniuses strutting around, proclaiming their superiority.
Recognizing the foe's true nature chilled his blood and restored his reason.
"I... understand. I'll endure."
"Good! We endure until we claim control of the Murim Alliance."
"Yes."
"Never forget this humiliation."
"I won't forget. Ever."
"Good! That's enough. Go now."
"Yes!"
Nangong Su bowed and left.
Alone, Nangong Chang glanced at his palm. Just thinking of Damho made it slick with sweat, his heart pounding fiercely.
Damho had etched an indelible terror into his chest. Nangong Chang's body would react the same way for some time whenever that name came to mind.
"Can I ever overcome it?"
Nangong Chang shook his head.
He had feigned strength before Nangong Su, but he feared Damho more than anyone.
The mere thought triggered spasms in his eyelids and tremors in his limbs like shaking leaves.
"Damn it all!"
***
A young Taoist who appeared to be in his mid-twenties walked along the path. The pleasant breeze made the hem of his blue Daoist robes flutter softly.
With a confident smile and leisurely stride, he took in the scenery at a relaxed pace.
A plain iron sword hung at his waist, clinking rhythmically with each step.
"How wonderful."
The young Taoist murmured as he surveyed the surroundings.
It was too high for a mere wild hill, yet too small for a famous peak. An unnamed mountain, but its scenery was breathtaking.
"This mountain feels like a miniature Mount Hua."
Indeed, the jagged crags and sharp ridges evoked Mount Hua.
The young Taoist paused, savoring the beauty for a long while.
There was no rush, no urgency.
His master had told him to experience the world firsthand.
Seeing and living much would lead to rapid progress, his master had said.
As advised, the young Taoist had done just that. His journey was delayed a bit, but he wasn't worried.
If he wanted, he could use lightness skill to reach his destination on time.
As the young Taoist admired the mountain vista,
"Hah! Lucky monk, wandering leisurely in these troubled times."
A booming voice rang out, and a band of men emerged from the brush.
Rough-looking thugs gripped swords and axes.
The young Taoist tilted his head.
"Bandits?"
"Hah! We're the noble Green Forest, not mere bandits!"
"Green Forest? Sounds like bandits to me."
The ferocious-looking bandit leader snorted at the young Taoist's retort.
"Bold young monk."
"Heh heh! Pups don't fear tigers, do they?"
"The more naive, the braver. Heh heh!"
The bandits laughed among themselves, ignoring the young Taoist.
The brutish leader, Jang Gwang, stepped forward.
"Hey, monk. We're hungry, so toss us some alms and be on your way."
"I'd love to, but I've got nothing on me."
The young Taoist shrugged. Jang Gwang grinned slyly.
"Then leave that iron sword behind."
"That's a problem. It's a gift from my master."
"Hah! No money, won't part with the sword. What now?"
"I've got a good idea."
"What's that, monk?"
"Just let me pass."
"That won't do. It'd ruin our reputation. Lose face, and travelers mock us. Then business drops—natural order."
The young Taoist frowned slightly at Jang Gwang's words.
"So what do you suggest?"
"We take your life to save face."
"Hah! Kill me for your reputation?"
"Understand our policy."
"Won't regret it?"
The young Taoist's question lingered oddly.
Jang Gwang grimaced briefly but soon smirked and ordered his men.
"Looks like the monk needs a lesson. Teach him."
"Yes!"
The bandits advanced on the young Taoist.
Their swaggering approach seemed ragtag, but the young Taoist saw through it.
Stable steps, extended breaths, weapon grips, and auras.
'Not ordinary bandits.'
He shook his head slightly, unconcerned.
"Yaah!"
The bandits shouted and charged.
Swoosh!
Sword and saber winds assailed him.
The young Taoist lightly kicked off the ground. His iron sword was already in hand.
Swish!
He thrust casually.
Suddenly, plum blossoms bloomed on the nameless mountain.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
The charging bandits screamed and collapsed. Plum flowers drawn in blood adorned their chests on the ground.
Countless martial arts existed, but only Mount Hua's bloomed plum blossoms so vividly. Proof he was a Mount Hua disciple.
It seemed effortless, yet lethal enough to kill.
"D-Damn! A Mount Hua monk after all."
Jang Gwang, having lost his men in an instant, retreated unsteadily.
The young Taoist's eyes gleamed.
"You knew I was from Mount Hua and still attacked."
"Ugh!"
"Who ordered it? Why target me?"
"I don't know why. Just told from above to check, so I followed orders."
"Hmm."
As the young Taoist pondered, Jang Gwang seized the chance and lunged.
"Die!"
His thick saber arced sharply toward the young Taoist's chest.
Splash!
Blood sprayed into the air.
"Cough!"
Jang Gwang's eyes bulged. The young Taoist's iron sword pierced his chest.
"Wh-What...?"
"Blood Plum Blossom Sword."
The young Taoist murmured, withdrawing the blade. Jang Gwang crumpled emptily.
Gazing at the corpse, the young Taoist shook his head.
"Master's swordsmanship is great, but too murderous."
The Blood Plum Blossom Sword demanded blood once drawn.
He was its sole inheritor.
Mount Hua called him Myeonggyeong.
After surveying the carnage he wrought, Myeonggyeong departed.
Long after he left, a man in tiger pelt crawled from the bushes.
Watching Myeonggyeong's direction, he muttered.
"A Mount Hua monk wielding such a fearsome killer sword. No wonder the stronghold leader wanted eyes on him."
The tiger-pelted man shook his head.
His name was Gwak Geo-cheol, deputy leader of the Black Water Stronghold, one of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds of the Green Forest.