Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Black Sword Sect
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Unlike Deung Gwang, Jeong Yak-bin was someone who could be reasoned with. She readily accepted Yuk Jin-yang's words.
Returning to her group, she calmly persuaded the other disciples. Fortunately, there was no resistance.
"That guy named Deung Gwang is a world apart. If only it had been like this from the start."
So Yun-un grumbled.
The group cut down trees to fashion makeshift stretchers for carrying the severely wounded who couldn't walk. The lightly injured were supported by the able-bodied, and they left the village as quickly as possible.
The official road from Sandu County to Geyang County was deserted. Not a single merchant or traveler was in sight.
The reason the road was empty was the prolonged conflict between the Haenam Sect and the Guangdong Jin Clan. Especially since the Jin Clan had unleashed the unorthodox factions, plundering had become rampant.
Jeong Yak-bin, who explained this, added bitterly,
"Several merchant caravans have already left Guangdong Province. The smaller ones are starting to waver first."
"Even if the conflict ends right now, the losses will be immense."
The operations of a large sect weren't sustained by donations alone. They had to control various interests like estates and merchant groups. It was like the soil in which the great tree of the sect took root.
This was why clashes between groups rarely dragged on. Prolonged fights often led to mutual destruction.
"That's true, but there's not much I can do about it."
Jeong Yak-bin let out a deep sigh.
The group pressed on without rest and arrived at Geyang County. The atmosphere felt off even from the village outskirts.
Corpses hung thick from the village gate marking the boundary. They were badly mutilated—not pecked by birds, but hacked repeatedly with blades, signs of torture.
Unless they were grave criminals, such desecration of bodies wasn't in the Great Ming Code. It was clearly the work of ruthless unorthodox scum.
Jeong Yak-bin frowned as she examined the corpses closely. Yuk Jin-yang asked just in case,
"Do you know any of them?"
"......No."
Jeong Yak-bin's expression was complicated as she shook her head. Relief that none were her fellow disciples mixed with fury at the unorthodox brutality.
"That's probably a warning and example not to harbor foolish thoughts. Or maybe they just killed for fun."
So Yun-un clicked his tongue.
"These unorthodox bastards are really going wild. Bold enough to do that with officials right there."
"They might be in league instead."
Yuk Jin-yang looked at Jeong Yak-bin as if demanding confirmation. She nodded briefly.
"Guangdong Province is a place the court's gaze rarely reaches. So the local magistrates can indulge their greed freely."
"And the Jin Clan's influence must be huge too."
"Yes, especially the Black Sword Sect—they're one of the Jin Clan's loyal hounds. They don't just loosely cooperate; they actively back their master's schemes."
The group passed the village entrance and walked along the main road.
The village felt devoid of life. All windows and doors of the houses were shut tight.
Passersby on the road turned away to avoid eye contact, their faces etched with fear as if facing a plague ghost.
A dirt-covered girl suddenly stopped in front of them. She carried a basket full of wild herbs and mushrooms on her head, walking with her eyes down due to the weight, too late to step aside.
Spotting the group late, the girl's clear eyes filled with terror. She gasped, stumbling backward, then whimpered,
"S-Sorry...!"
They had no skill in coaxing children. Yuk Jin-yang awkwardly glanced back.
Jeong Yak-bin stepped forward quickly. Bending down to meet the girl's eyes, she smiled gently and asked,
"Hello. I have something I'd like to ask. Can you spare a moment?"
The girl nodded vigorously instead of answering.
"We're looking for a physician. Do you know where to go?"
"O-Over there. Just go between the alleys."
"Thank you for telling us. Buy some candy with this."
Jeong Yak-bin pulled a jade bead the size of a pebble from her bosom and placed it in the girl's hand. The girl snatched it up, bowed her head, and scurried off the other way.
Gazing at the girl's retreating figure, Jeong Yak-bin spoke.
"Let's go now. She didn't seem like she was lying."
"You're good with kids."
"I take care of the young disciples."
The alley the girl pointed to held a small clinic. Entering, an old man dividing herbs in the cramped room looked up. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the group lined up to the door.
The old man's gaze lingered on Jeong Yak-bin for a long time, as if appraising her attire. Suddenly, he sighed deeply.
"From the Haenam Sect, I presume. You've come in rough times. Of all the luck."
"Some of our group are injured. Could you treat them?"
"Is that the only reason you've come to this village?"
The old physician's eyes flashed sharply. It wasn't outright hostility. It felt like intense resentment toward someone absent.
"The Black Sword Sect has been entrenched here for ages. And Hainan has just watched. Because the Guangdong Jin Clan behind them is tricky. Is that how the orthodox sects operate?"
Jeong Yak-bin's face flushed. The physician continued venting his grief and rage regardless.
"You saw the corpses at the entrance? Hanged because they wouldn't offer their daughters to the Black Sword Sect. Not the first time. This village is dying. Unless those scum vanish, it'll be exploited until it disappears."
Yuk Jin-yang stepped forward.
"We're here to exterminate the Black Sword Sect."
"......"
"Need I say more?"
"Bring the patients inside. There's room upstairs."
The old physician stood up.
After moving all the injured, the group split. Jeong Yak-bin and the Hainan members stayed at the clinic, preparing for any contingencies.
Yuk Jin-yang and the Flying Stream Pavilion group took on subduing the Black Sword Sect. With no injured, they retained full strength—it was the obvious choice.
The old physician assigned his son as their guide.
His son's name was Tang Sang-baek. A common surname, but different for a physician. Yuk Jin-yang asked just in case,
"Tang Clan? From the Sichuan Tang Clan, by any chance?"
"Haha, we're distant branches from far back. Split off centuries ago. Now they're just ancestors to us."
"Still, you haven't forgotten your roots."
"Medicine? Father paid to learn it. Martial arts? No way."
Sichuan Tang Clan. His mother's maternal family, one he'd never met. Traveling the world, he'd cross paths eventually. He wondered what their attitude would be.
Tang Sang-baek led them outside the village.
"The Black Sword Sect stays outside the village. They've built a fortress nearby and manage Geyang County periodically."
"Why such a hassle?"
"They're that big. Can't all fit in the village."
Tang Sang-baek bowed his head, adding in a low voice,
"Even the officials cower and retreat."
"Cowardice, or collusion?"
"Both. When troops sent to subdue them lost their heads, the magistrate submitted."
Tang Sang-baek glanced back at the group. Worry showed plainly on his face.
"Of course, I don't think you all can't handle those thugs, but......"
"No backup needed. Or wanted."
Yuk Jin-yang said flatly. Tang Sang-baek nodded and fell silent. He was perceptive.
The group reached a low hill. Through the dense woods, a cluster of buildings stretched along the ridges. Impressive scale—with watchtowers and high walls mimicking城 walls.
So Yun-un whistled softly.
"Looks like a bandit stronghold."
"Maybe it split from one."
The heavy defenses revealed their weaknesses instead. Strong sects didn't need high walls—their members' power sufficed. Ancient families obsessed with prestige might, but high walls were pointless against lightness skill.
Yuk Jin-yang glanced back and urged,
"Turn back here. It's dangerous."
"No. I'll wait nearby."
The group's eyes turned to Tang Sang-baek. Some frowned. In a fight, they couldn't protect civilians. He risked capture as a hostage, so he should leave.
Tang Sang-baek hesitated, then added,
"They took my daughter too. As a slave, they say. Even if she's gone, I need to bury her body. I'll hide so I don't get in the way."
Yuk Jin-yang recalled the physician.
'Worried about family. That explained the sudden anger.'
"Can't save you if caught."
Yuk Jin-yang turned after the curt reply. Without waiting, he advanced slowly toward the Black Sword Sect compound. The Flying Stream Pavilion warriors followed silently. No pursuing footsteps. Tang Sang-baek wouldn't insist further.
As the group reached the main gate.
Shiiik!
An arrow flew from the watchtower, but Yuk Jin-yang caught it easily. The shaft crumbled in his grip. It carried faint inner energy—fired with power.
"Quite the modest welcome."
The Flying Stream Pavilion group grinned ferociously at Yuk Jin-yang's joke.
Sensing trouble? A horn blared from the watchtower.
Bwoooo—!
"Let's go."
Yuk Jin-yang commanded briefly. The group leaped high in unison, vaulting the ten-foot wall. They landed in an open clearing.
So Yun-un, having downed the watchtower sentry, snorted.
"Pretty relaxed. Blew the horn, but no one's showing."
"Unorthodox are all like that."
Yuk Jin-yang shrugged nonchalantly and advanced. After passing several buildings.
A motley crew of men and women belatedly appeared, blocking the way in a disorganized formation.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Thought Haenam Sect, but unfamiliar uniforms."
"This fly looks trained."
Varied bunch. From hulking eight-foot brutes stereotypical of unorthodox to women primped like ladies.
The giant stepped forward swaggering right up to Yuk Jin-yang's face. Flying Stream Pavilion warriors twitched for their swords, but he raised an arm to halt them.
The man sneered mockingly,
"Acting tough out of male pride? Naive young master on a tour, clueless about rivers and lakes customs."
"......"
"I'll have Yi Hwang's Ghost Blade, Feng Yidao, teach you what the jianghu is."
Feng Yidao grinned viciously, reaching casually to grab his shoulder.
Crack.
Yuk Jin-yang snatched Feng Yidao's wrist. Despite the menacing aura, it was caught powerlessly.
Feng Yidao's face stiffened.
"You little...?"
He tried wrenching free with force. But the gripped arm didn't budge.
Others chattered ignorantly from behind.
"Brother Feng! Why drag it out? Finish and let's drink."
"Haha, pretty drunk?"
"Letting him close that easy? Too careless. Ghost Blade title gonna cry!"
The teasing laughter at their pinned comrade faded. Feng Yidao's odd demeanor—expecting a quick return after thrashing the boy—didn't sit right.
The yard fell silent, bewilderment dominating.
Feng Yidao's trapped arm trembled. His face flushed like it might burst.
Yuk Jin-yang, silent till now, spoke.
"Is this the jianghu you were gonna show me?"