Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: True Martial Arts
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Even on the outskirts of the Central Plains, Yunnan Province boasted a prominent martial sect called the Spear Point Sect, resulting in a considerable number of martial clans and schools.
Among them, a clan that had recently grown in power was the Myriad Demons Poison Clan. Originally a mid-tier family, the Myriad Demons Poison Clan had risen to second only to the Spear Point Sect thanks to Dok Gunpae, known by the moniker Heavenly Defeat General.
Returning from the Ten-Year War amid triumphant fanfares, he had received a plaque inscribed by the Emperor himself and headed home.
Many then sought ties with the Myriad Demons Poison Clan, and Patriarch Dok Go Yong seized the opportunity to expand his business.
Dok Go Yong's ventures flourished, and a smile never left his lips.
"Our clan pillar is coming?"
A bearded elder cried out with a broad grin.
"Yes. He's expected to arrive in about two hours."
"Why tell me only now... Order preparations for a feast at once."
"Yes."
The reporter hurried off.
The Myriad Demons Poison Clan bustled into action. Word was sent to the local notables of Yunnan, and notice given to the Spear Point Sect as well. Flame Flower General Ok Cheo-gi, who had fought alongside Dok Gunpae in the war, was the brother-in-law of the Spear Point Sect Leader.
Though plenty of time remained before his arrival, they went out to greet him. The most comfortable and swift route from Beijing to Yunnan's capital Kunming was by boat, so they headed to the docks.
After waiting half a shichen at the docks, the boat arrived.
"Gunpae!"
Dok Go Yong shouted loudly as Dok Gunpae disembarked.
Dok Gunpae was clad in armor, making him easy to spot. But he wasn't alone. He had over a dozen soldiers with him.
"Father, what brings you here?"
Dok Gunpae was startled.
"Come to greet you."
"Greet me?"
"My son returns after so long; of course I come out."
"Father, really."
Dok Gunpae chuckled.
"I've prepared carriages. Let's go."
The group boarded carriages and returned to the Myriad Demons Poison Clan.
"But these people with you..."
"My aides."
"Bringing aides means this isn't just a simple visit."
"Yes. Where is Gunha?"
Gunha was Dok Gunpae's younger brother and the commander of the Myriad Demon Army, one of the Myriad Demons Poison Clan's two organizations.
The Myriad Demons Poison Clan operated two groups: the Heavenly Defeat Army and the Myriad Demon Army, each with four hundred warriors.
"He's out on business."
"Business?"
"Some fools opened a sect on Wuliang Mountain without our permission, so he went to teach them a lesson."
"Do you need our permission to open a sect in Yunnan?"
"Of course."
"Impressive."
"It's all thanks to you. And I've notified the local notables."
"Notified?"
"They're the ones you'll command in the future; best to get acquainted. Sent word to the Spear Point Sect too."
"No time for that."
"No time?"
"Yes. We must mobilize."
"Mobilize for what?"
"Gunha must come too, so I'll explain after he returns."
Upon reaching the clan, Dok Gunpae went straight to his quarters.
The next day, when Dok Gunha returned, the three men sat around a table.
"Now speak."
Dok Go Yong said.
"Do you know the War God Hwangbo Clan?"
"Of course. The clan that produced War God General Hwangbo Seung, right?"
"The War God Vanguard's five hundred elites, Patriarch Hwangbo Se-u, and Hwangbo Seung himself—all dead."
"W-what are you saying?"
Dok Go Yong's eyes widened in shock.
"It's like this..."
Dok Gunpae detailed the unfolding events. He also confessed to framing Gun Cheokjeon's group to eliminate them, as he couldn't mobilize the clan's warriors without full disclosure.
"So you're saying the ones you framed as rebels are coming to the Central Plains with Heavenly Wanderer General? You sent the Hwangbo Clan after them, and they were wiped out."
"Yes."
"You said there were only two."
"We were tricked."
"They made it seem like just two despite their numbers."
"Yes."
"They must have assigned it to us because we're close."
"It's another opportunity for me too. Handle this right, and I can aim higher."
"Higher where?"
"At least Regional Military Commander of the Five Armies Command, or with some ambition, even Minister of War."
"A Regional Military Commander or Minister of War—aren't they much the same?"
Dok Gunha asked. Dok Gunha, resembling his mother, looked gentler than Dok Gunpae.
"Similar, but Minister of War is better."
"Either way, you need to eliminate that Black Wind bastard and the woman Ara to secure the post."
"Exactly."
"If the War God Vanguard fell, we must bring both the Heavenly Defeat Army and Myriad Demon Army."
"Yes."
"Where is he now?"
"We got word they're heading to the Ordos Plateau."
"Xiongnu territory."
"Orders are to eliminate them before they enter the Central Plains."
"The martial forces there are clashing; it's dangerous."
"Still, we go."
"Understood."
Dok Go Yong looked to his second son, Dok Gunha.
"When do we depart?"
"As soon as preparations are ready."
"How long for mobilization?"
"At least two months."
Dok Gunpae said.
"Got it. I'll prepare two months' supplies."
Dok Gunha left.
From that day, the Myriad Demons Poison Clan was in an uproar.
Two days later, warriors from the Spear Point Sect arrived. Leading them was Fifth Elder One Yang Sword Ok Ju-ham of Southern Heaven Spear. Ok Ju-ham was Ok Cheo-gi's father and the father-in-law of the Spear Point Sect Leader.
"Welcome, great hero."
Dok Go Yong cupped his fists toward Ok Cheo-gi.
"First time meeting. I'm Cheo-gi's father."
Ok Cheo-gi greeted after Dok Go Yong.
"I've heard much. General Ok must take after his father to be so outstanding."
"Hahaha! Far from it. The Myriad Demons Poison Clan seems busy—what's going on?"
They say parents prefer praise for their children over themselves, and Ok Ju-ham beamed at the compliment to his son.
"We may need to mobilize."
"Mobilize?"
Ok Ju-ham's eyes widened.
"It's..."
Dok Go Yong trailed off.
"Hard to discuss?"
"It's about the desert incident."
"Desert—you mean the army?"
"Yes."
"What happened there?"
"Keep it secret. If word leaks, not only my son but General Ok will be in danger."
"What on earth happened?"
"Very well. I'll tell you."
Dok Go Yong recounted the desert events in detail.
"..."
Ok Ju-ham was speechless.
He had never dreamed his son could do such a thing.
'Did I say too much...?'
Dok Go Yong frowned slightly at Ok Ju-ham.
"Will you join us?"
"To eliminate the survivors?"
Ok Ju-ham asked.
"They must vanish for General Ok and us to live. Otherwise..."
"Understood. I'll go with you."
Ok Ju-ham nodded.
"Thank you. With Great Hero Ok, it'll be a great help."
Dok Go Yong grinned broadly.
Mobilization proceeded smoothly.
Ok Ju-ham sent word to the Spear Point Sect explaining the situation. In three days, preparations complete, the eight hundred of the Heavenly Defeat Army and Myriad Demon Army headed north.
* * *
"How about we each introduce ourselves instead of this?"
South Wind said to the group.
Ak Muyoo and the Wind Squad members were wrapping up the day with the Haran Mountains visible in the distance. Running daily with lightness skills, they had grown accustomed; even two shichen nonstop was no strain.
Lazing about at a time they'd once collapse showed their rapid progress.
"We know roughly, don't we?"
West Wind said.
"The Captain doesn't."
South Wind glanced at Ak Muyoo.
The group looked to Ak Muyoo.
"I know roughly too."
"How roughly?"
West Wind asked.
"West Wind, you're a stunning beauty. South Wind here lacks stamina. North Wind's a man but a frost arts master. Central Wind's the nastiest tempered of you five."
"So you know everything but names. I'm Go Yo. Moniker Illusion Evil."
"Successor to the Yo Hwan Palace, right?"
Central Wind said.
"Ten years ago, yes."
"Probably. I'm Sword Hero North Palace Dae-gang. Nearly became lord of Sword Heaven Great Palace."
South Wind introduced himself.
"I'm... Han San. Moniker Cold Blood Divine Demon."
North Wind hesitated briefly before giving his name and moniker.
"Oho! A martial fugitive."
East Wind grinned wide.
"They say lightning strikes beside a villain... No, already struck."
Ak Muyoo chuckled.
"You really got struck by lightning?"
West Wind asked.
"Yeah. Not long ago."
"And survived."
"My life's thread is long."
"Pfft! Long? More like a whale's sinew."
"True."
"You lot okay?"
North Wind asked.
"Twenty wan taels on my head—what's a fugitive to me? You?"
"I'm Demon Death Cheon Bo-san."
"Name 'Bo-san' means dirt poor or filthy rich."
Ak Muyoo said.
"Latter."
"Rich folk rarely join the army..."
"Heavenly Wanderer General did."
"She's a general. You're a grunt."
"I'll tell you sometime."
"Gotta survive to hear it."
"Yep."
"You can't die either."
"I absolutely can't die."
"That's why I prepared an undying method."
"Undying method?"
"Yeah. Everyone, gather here!"
Ak Muyoo called the squad. The Wind Squad members scattered nearby assembled around him.
"You've mastered what I taught before?"
"Yes!"
They roared in unison.
"Why the formal tone all sudden?"
Ak Muyoo eyed Little Wind.
"Shouting 'We mastered it!' sounds weird."
"Funny guy."
"Why call us?"
"To teach true martial arts."
"True martial arts?"
"Yeah."
"So what we learned was fake?"
"Compared to this, yes."
"How amazing is it?"
"One stealth technique and a single sword form."
"Name..."
"Won't teach it. Beginning."
Ak Muyoo recited the incantation at once. It was the Chaos Mill. After finishing Chaos Mill, he recited the incantation for Illusion Isle, the first form of Illusion Demon Twelve Forms.
He repeated it three times in succession, then twice more watching the group.
"Now for a demonstration. Can't show stealth, so just the sword form. Sword."
Ak Muyoo looked to Ara.
Ara tossed him her sword. Ak Muyoo hung it at his waist. Then he regulated his breath.
Right foot forward, upper body slightly bent.
'Huh?'
The group's eyes widened watching Ak Muyoo.
An inexplicable energy flowed from Ak Muyoo as he assumed the stance.
'What is it?'