Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Black Wind's Eleventh Strike
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People flocked to the bustling streets of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province.
They gathered around the notice plastered on the wall.
Those at the back stood on tiptoes, while the illiterate strained to listen.
As the crowd grew, the murmurs swelled louder and louder.
"Good heavens! Ghost Sword Sect got hit!"
"Ghost Sword Sect? That faction down south?"
"Yeah, that Ghost Sword Sect!"
"No way! Ghost Sword Sect is supposed to be a powerhouse in those parts, right? They say they have over a hundred disciples!"
Ghost Sword Sect was a rising unorthodox faction that had rapidly expanded by crushing local established sects in the area.
For such a group to be smashed overnight left everyone stunned.
"Didn't other sects get hit too? They were building up just as much power as Ghost Sword Sect."
"Right. Four Sounds Sect and Rakshasa Sword Sect were no slouches either."
"That's what's so impressive! Taking down Ghost Sword Sect with just thirty men! Every time I hear it, it's more shocking."
The crowd burst into repeated exclamations, thumbs held high.
"How many times is this now?"
"Sixth time?"
"Six? They already hit ten places four days ago—this makes eleven!"
"Already? Man, I've never seen anyone this elusive in my life. Not even a month since they started, and everyone in Jiangsu knows about them."
"More precisely, not even half a month. Eleven sects smashed in that time?"
"No way, only half a month?"
Just as one man said, it had started about half a month ago.
Rumors spread of masked figures suddenly appearing, sweeping through sects in Jiangsu, and the province erupted.
Their movements were utterly phantom-like.
They popped up in the east, then the west in a flash, devastating sects—even covering distances over a hundred li.
Their astonishing speed was shocking enough, but what truly amazed was that every sect they obliterated in a single night was a local heavyweight.
For a mere thirty-odd men to topple such groups overnight—it was ghostly skill.
Another reason the public was riveted: every sect they smashed was unorthodox.
Amid wild speculations, all eyes focused on this group's bizarre habit of targeting only evil factions.
"And they return all the loot too?"
"Exactly! Righteous bandits, righteous bandits! Heh, to think true outlaws still exist in this era!"
"No wonder they're called the Black Wind Squad! The unorthodox scum are shaking in their boots!"
"Where the hell did guys like that come from? They didn't just drop from the sky...."
The Black Wind Squad had first appeared at Four Sounds Sect, where high-level witnesses mentioned their numbers—but nothing else was known about this mysterious group.
The crowd let out sighs of awe.
"With righteous men like that in Jiangsu, the jianghu's justice lives on!"
* * *
"Aw, damn it. Another bust."
Namgung Hyeok kicked open the door of White Herb Pavilion and grumbled.
He shook his hands irritably.
"Where the hell's my spirit elixir?"
Namgung Hyeok sighed deeply and glanced back.
Piles of glittering treasures from White Herb Pavilion were neatly stacked in the courtyard.
"Jackpot! Jackpot! Hahaha!"
Jackpot?
So Geol-gae spun circles around the loot, shouting.
The way he fondled the silver ingots was just....
"The beggar's gone all materialistic."
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue.
He turned his head and spotted the Pavilion Master of White Herb Pavilion, tied to a pillar, tears streaming down his face.
Paeng Jung-hyeok stood before him, pressing a red-hot dagger close and growling.
"This all of it? Nothing else hidden?"
"Y-you bastards! This is everything, everything!"
"Should I start by searing that tongue of yours?"
"Eek! N-no, there's nothing. Nothing, so please... please spare me!"
"Then spit it out quick!"
Namgung Hyeok watched Paeng Jung-hyeok's natural intimidation with a subtle expression.
'That punk's got talent?'
The guy who'd whined about being the young master this and his father that was now intimidating like a pro.
Right, that's how you handle hostages.
Indeed.
Then Paeng Yeon-hwa strode up to Paeng Jung-hyeok.
"Brother!"
"What?"
"You can't handle hostages like that!"
"Then what, pamper him?"
"These bastards won't listen to nice words! Hit 'em first!"
"What do you mean hit—"
Bam!
Paeng Yeon-hwa slapped the Pavilion Master's cheek before he could finish.
His head whipped around with the crack of splitting air, then lolled limply.
Paeng Jung-hyeok's jaw dropped.
"You crazy bitch! You trying to kill him?"
"He's still breathing, isn't he?"
"Barely! We need him able to talk!"
"I said he's alive."
Paeng Yeon-hwa snorted and shook the Pavilion Master by his collar.
Shake, shake!
'N-Namgung Hyeok?!'
A now all-too-familiar sight.
He's the spitting image.
Paeng Jung-hyeok's mouth gaped wider as a low groan escaped.
"Ah... Father...."
Something's wrong here.
'Yeon-hwa's picked up "preemptive strike" and "bastard." And why's her behavior turning into Thunder Dragon Squad and Namgung Hyeok's clone....'
A sigh slipped out unbidden.
'What'll become of the Paeng family....'
Nearby, So Hye-yeon busily worked her hands.
Rustle!
Crack, crack!
"Aaah! Aaack!"
"Gaaack!"
"Uwaaak, g-gently! Gently!"
She roughly bound the White Herb Pavilion disciples with rope she'd gotten from somewhere.
"Quiet down!"
"Aaack! Arm, arm, aaarm!"
Smack!
So Hye-yeon struck a disciple's temple with her scabbard.
Thud.
The disciple crumpled, blood pooling on the floor.
The wailing disciples froze.
What kind of madness....
Tighten!
So Hye-yeon bound another and sealed his acupoints.
'Nice and secure so the officials can drag them off easily.'
She saw this as righteous action.
Masked or not, weren't they dealing with villains harming the realm?
And returning their ill-gotten gains to aid the common folk—what else was vigilantism?
So Hye-yeon felt a small sense of duty, but the watching Thunder Dragon Squad could only shake their heads.
"Wow, right on the temple. Didn't kill him, huh...."
"Heh, she'll catch someone like that."
"Young Sword Comet's got a heavy hand. Just seal the points—why...."
"That guy's arm's twisted now?"
"She was trying to kill earlier, remember? Called 'em bug bastards and all."
"Urgh."
These noble-born youths, once hesitant, now moved more aggressively than anyone.
At this dramatic change, the Thunder Dragon Squad's gazes involuntarily flicked to Namgung Hyeok, then away.
Geon Cheon-hwi muttered.
"Quick learners."
"Heh, look at that beggar. Can't get his head straight?"
"Already corrupted."
Everyone nodded at Geon Cheon-hwi's curt assessment.
The Thunder Dragon Squad eyed the group with strange looks as they grew more like Namgung Hyeok.
Namgung Hyeok furrowed his brow.
"Hey, beggar!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Heh, even the beggar's title changed.
'Well, no one loves money like beggars.'
On second thought, beggars were the most contradictory lot.
Too lazy to work, yet begging for food and coin.
Fighting over a single penny.
So Geol-gae grinned wide, hefted a silver lump, and prostrated before Namgung Hyeok.
"Head to the next sect right away? Where to this time? I went through the list—Black Cloud Fortress looks solid. Pretty juicy...."
"Go big."
"Huh?"
"Cast a big net to catch something."
"These guys we just hit were big shots around here...."
"Bigger! Ones that might've swiped my spirit elixir!"
Half a month of pointless(?) loot piling up.
Over ten sects raided, but mostly small fry.
Not the quality of the ones Namgung Hyeok sought.
'Gotta go big to find something!'
Whether the elixir itself or wealth to buy it.
'Doesn't matter! It's mine anyway!'
Namgung Hyeok's eyes gleamed maniacally.
So Geol-gae flinched and stepped back.
'Shit, that glare never gets less freaky.'
How do eyes spin like that so easily?
"...But to hit a big sect, we need a plan."
"Plan?"
"The unorthodox in Jiangsu are on high alert. Some are waiting for Black Wind Squad to show—big sects especially...."
"Plans my ass. Smashing 'em is the plan—saves time."
No, that's not right, man.
Namgung Hyeok prodded So Geol-gae.
"Scout fast. Start with the closest and smash."
"Yes."
"Move!"
At Namgung Hyeok's words, So Geol-gae bolted off.
* * *
Tai Prefecture's Blood Strong Sect was in chaos.
Sect Leader Jo Cheol-rok glared furiously.
"What? White Herb Pavilion got hit? White Herb?"
"Yes, Sect Leader. Fell two days ago...."
White Herb Pavilion paid tribute to Blood Strong Sect regularly—a parasite faction under Tai's true overlords.
Jo Cheol-rok ground his teeth.
"Who? Which bastards dared rob my pocket!"
"Black Wind Squad...."
"Black Wind Squad?"
Mid-rage, Jo Cheol-rok fixed his subordinate with a cold stare at the name.
"Black Wind Squad?"
"Yes. Black Wind Squad again this time...."
"Been getting on my nerves lately. Is Black Dragon Sect encroaching on my turf?"
Black Dragon Sect lay just across the river.
An unorthodox group that appeared one day and swiftly dominated Zhejiang Province.
They'd tugged ropes with Namgung Clan—their might undeniable.
They'd quieted down, but might be gearing up to expand again.
"They've been quiet awhile."
Black Dragon Sect had long eyed Jiangsu.
Entirely plausible.
Smashing a dozen mid-tier unorthodox sects in under half a month required exceptional skill.
Only overwhelming force could manage it.
And most sites were southern Jiangsu, bordering Zhejiang.
Few factions nearby could pull it off: Namgung Clan or Black Dragon Sect.
'But Namgung Clan has no reason to wear masks!'
Besides, with Namgung Clan busy consolidating Anhui, would they bother elsewhere?
Jo Cheol-rok's suspicions deepened.
He didn't buy tales of sudden righteous outlaws.
There was intent behind it.
"No such thing as experts falling from the sky."
That was the jianghu Jo Cheol-rok knew.
"If they have any brains, won't they lay low while Namgung Clan operates?"
"We'll know once we catch 'em."
"Urgh."
"Their movements mean they'll tangle with us soon. Grab 'em then and uncover the truth!"
"Yes!"
"Black Dragon Sect or whoever—they'll regret rampaging in my domain to their bones."
A chilling glint filled Jo Cheol-rok's eyes.
A cold, ruthless aura poured out, freezing the air.
"You—summon all sects under our banner."
"Yes, Family Head!"
Jo Cheol-rok's aura subsided only after the subordinate fully exited the room.