Rumors and Fake Ghosts
Rumors sometimes emphasize sensationalism over facts. Mountain paths are treacherous and narrow, always crawling with bandits. Just as cold noodles appear at inns, bandits emerge on mountain roads.
But this time, the bandits seemed like a bigger problem.
"They say countless lives have been lost to that monster. Didn't he burn down an entire family manor in Seongdo?"
"That's right. They say he chews people alive, so some merchants abandon their caravans midway."
"......"
Jang Cheon stared blankly at them amid the stream of absurd claims, when Cheon Sohyang whispered quietly from beside him.
"You haven't actually tried eating anyone, right, ajusshi? ...Ow!"
"Do not mock your master."
He gave her a quick flick on the forehead, then cleared his throat. No matter who this fake Black-White Sword Ghost was, their martial prowess couldn't surpass his own.
"My disciple and I are not so weak as to fall to a demon."
Jang Cheon spoke softly. Some of the escorts visibly relaxed, but others still eyed him with suspicion. A mysterious man whose nickname they didn't know and whose name they'd never heard. Could they really trust him as a traveling companion?
But at least one was different.
"I'll trust you, sir!"
Yi Cheol-ryang had no time to waste. Grinning broadly, he led Jang Cheon and Cheon Sohyang to get permission.
The procedure was simple. They just had to show sword aura to the checkpoint officer. Any peak expert in the jianghu could manifest it by channeling their inner energy, making it a clever verification method. Even Cheon Sohyang could manage that much.
"Depart! We're heading out! Everyone to your positions!"
At this era's escort agencies, they planted the agency's flag atop the cargo carts at departure, raising it high for all to see. This custom, called the lopgwan jeonggi, not only advertised the agency's name but also warned off the weaklings from even trying.
Once the lopgwan jeonggi was done, one escort took the lead, beating a gong and shouting the agency's name repeatedly.
All these were customs from Jang Cheon's time.
So he paid particular attention to the lead escort.
"So many pointless rituals have sprung up. How long must that poor soul keep at it?"
"They usually stop once people start passing by."
It was all for drawing eyes. They didn't keep it up through bandit territories or off the main roads. And there were no such places on this official path. With the state setting up checkpoints, even the boldest greenwood bandits wouldn't openly set up shop.
That was why this incident had blown up so big.
And then.
Two days after passing Geomgak, they finally encountered the Black-White Sword Ghost.
*
It happened while crossing a cliff in the mountains. The path was narrow—trees jammed into rocks, so it couldn't be wide. With two unidentified people blocking that cramped road, the caravan had no choice but to halt.
Whenever this happened before, the lead escort would try to assert dominance.
"Clear the way! This is Gochang Escort Agency passing through!"
The blaring gong and booming voice. Those without martial arts or low cultivation would naturally step aside.
But these two didn't budge an inch.
One massive brute with a towering frame, and a short man standing in front. Both wore crudely made masks.
"......You bastard! Does the name of Seongdo's top Gochang Escort Agency ring hollow to you?!"
"Scram!"
The flustered escort bellowed, but was overwhelmed by an even louder roar. The shout came from the giant, whose voice made the entire cliff reverberate. His body was twice the escort's size.
In the end, the escort couldn't hold and staggered back.
"Kehhehe, Gochang Escort Agency trash. Drop the goods and get lost!"
"Who are you to act so lawlessly? These goods have proper permits!"
"Proper permits? True heroes don't need such things. Kehhehe... As for me, I'm that infamous Black-White Sword Ghost! Drop the goods and scram!"
The giant crossed his arms, his sturdy legs like temple pillars. The escort naturally turned back, and Jang Cheon stepped forward.
"You're the Black-White Sword Ghost?"
"That's right! I'm the great demon lord Black-White Sword Ghost. Wanna taste my fist too?"
"......"
One never knew. Instead of answering, Jang Cheon sent out a light pulse of energy.
But the giant didn't flinch. His realm was so low he couldn't even sense the killing intent. Clearly... third-rate.
Jang Cheon sighed inwardly.
"I see, Black-White Sword Ghost. I have one question."
"What?"
"Where'd you sell the sword?"
Of course, Jang Cheon used a sword. That's why his nickname included one. But this fake had none at his waist.
"Uh, well...... Hm! Ahem!"
The giant stammered at the unexpected jab, clutched his side, then fell into stern silence.
That's when the short man quickly intervened.
"Haven't you heard the rumors? The Black-White Sword Ghost has reached a level where he no longer needs a sword. You don't even know about the Formless Sword realm? Blame your ignorance!"
His voice was clear and pleasant.
Jang Cheon said,
"And who is this?"
"He... Big Bro, no. He's my big brother, the Black-White Demon Ghost! Twice as strong as me!"
"I'm the Black-White Sword Ghost's brother, the Black-White Demon Ghost. I cultivate by eating people. If you don't want to be my meal, scram!"
"Ajusshi, don't tell me..."
"I'm an only child."
The path blocked by fake ghosts. Fierce winds howled from the sheer cliff below, a strange tension hanging in the air—but only briefly.
The Black-White Demon Ghost shouted,
"You refuse a toast? No choice then! Black-White Sword Ghost, sweep them away!"
"Got it, Big Bro! Take this! One Fist Mountain Breaker!"
The Black-White Sword Ghost raised his pot-lid fist high, then slammed it down with a mighty shout.
Then, something astonishing happened.
Strange noises echoed from all directions. Vibrations like rolling stones, accompanied by the crackle of small pebbles falling!
The crowd buzzed.
"L-Landslide! Everyone, evacuate!"
"Triggering a landslide with one punch... Is that even human martial arts?!"
Even the escorts who'd been cocky moments ago panicked. This was the Daepasan Mountains, prone to slides. One wrong move, and they'd plummet into the abyss.
Yi Cheol-ryang shouted in terror,
"Master Jang, get away! The goods aren't worth your life!"
Jang Cheon frowned. Triggering a landslide with martial arts wasn't impossible. But even for him, it'd take effort. For this guy? Highly suspicious.
"......Guess I'll have to check myself."
Time to show a bit of his own power. Jang Cheon kicked off the path and leaped high. He soared several times the height of the carts—Eagle Soar Light Step. Not quite the Transformation Realm's Void Step, but an exceedingly profound level.
The escorts' eyes bulged, and even the smug Black-White Sword Ghost gaped, his eyes like a cow's.
"B-Big Bro! Wh-What's that? A demon?!"
"Insane......!"
The so-called Black-White Demon Ghost was no different. A clear, ringing voice leaked from behind the mask, small black eyes darting around.
By then, Jang Cheon had already scaled far up the cliff. He stuck to the wall with Wall-Climbing Technique and laughed hollowly.
"So that's it."
The secret of One Fist Mountain Breaker.
Several wooden barrels dangled from the cliff rocks above. Filled with large pebbles that rolled to mimic falling stones, amplified by the rugged terrain into landslide sounds.
The nameless boy shaking the barrels up top covered his mouth at the sight of Jang Cheon.
Nothing more to uncover, Jang Cheon leaped straight down from the rock face. Landing lightly on the path from over ten zhang up, like a feather.
Drawing all eyes in an instant, he said calmly,
"No landslide. Just some vibrations."
"B-B-Big Bro. Wh-What now?"
"What do you mean, what?"
The frozen Black-White Sword Ghost stammered. The Black-White Demon Ghost spoke resolutely.
"We bolt!"
He spun to flee off the path without hesitation, but someone was already behind him.
"Hiya!"
"Ack!"
"Aaaack!"
While they panicked, Cheon Sohyang had blocked their retreat. Without even drawing her sword, she subdued them with her scabbard.
The Black-White Demon Ghost went down from one hit to the head. The Black-White Sword Ghost resisted a bit longer but crumpled after a few more, legs giving out.
Looking at them sprawled like frogs on the road, Jang Cheon muttered,
"Surely these aren't the real Black-White Sword Ghosts?"
"......No, they can't be. They aren't."
Yi Cheol-ryang grumbled heavily. For something that mobilized officials due to its infamy, the anticlimactic end was pathetic. No one wanted to believe they'd been fooled by such clowns.