Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Shandong Pajeong Sect (1)
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"Pajeong Sect Leader, kneel before me, So Jinung, the Wall Moon Sword, a first-generation disciple of Mount Tai Sect!"
A first-generation disciple named So Jinung. He looked middle-aged, but definitely past forty. Maybe not quite fifty.
For a guy like that to block the entrance to Pajeong Sect and shout like that? It was a declaration of total war to the death.
A first-generation disciple of Mount Tai Sect. Just a first-generation disciple. Even if he held a position like sect leader or elder, they would've chosen all-out resistance.
One rank below the current Mount Tai Sect leader and elders in seniority.
No matter how righteous and demonic sects differ in hierarchy, the basic protocol is for the sect leader to respond in kind with someone of equal standing.
But for someone a rank junior to step up and spout that nonsense?
The problem was Pajeong Sect not coming out and dropping their swords yet.
Having heard that shout, they should've charged out immediately. The fight should've already broken out. No question.
But Pajeong Sect remained silent.
The roughly 150 Mount Tai Sect members gathered at the entrance all wore puzzled expressions.
Even the civilians around me watching from farther away were the same.
Silence after a formal declaration of battle meant one of two things.
They'd already fled, or they were plotting something.
So Jinung frowned at the reaction.
The guy's panicking.
That was panic. But trying not to show it, so he just scowled instead.
Yeah. They shouldn't have sent a first-generation disciple. Needed someone with more experience.
But that was unavoidable too. Mount Tai Sect's leader generation wasn't much higher in cultivation than the first-generation disciples.
That generation predated the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War.
They were the ones from back when Mount Tai Sect was just another minor sect, before it became the supreme sect of the orthodox path.
So in terms of martial arts attainment, the first-generation disciples were actually higher on average.
Anyway, So Jinung didn't agonize long.
He knew plenty of people were watching his actions.
Hesitating now would mean all of it getting judged by the world.
'So Jinung's indecisive despite his skills. Lacks resolve.' That kind of talk.
So he drew his sword, strode forward confidently, stood before Pajeong Sect's main gate, and raised his blade high.
"Haaap!"
His shout rang out as the sword came slashing down. Sword qi shimmered along the blade.
Pajeong Sect's main gate was cleaved in two and collapsed in a heap.
"Charge! Force the Pajeong Sect Leader to kneel before me!"
"Waaah!"
At So Jinung's cry, Mount Tai Sect's retainers stormed through the ruined gate.
Tsk tsk. Too bad.
Should've brought someone more seasoned, even if their cultivation was a bit lower. What idiots.
Once all the retainers were inside, the remaining Mount Tai Sect disciples drew their swords to follow.
That's when a good number of civilians around me suddenly drew their swords and silently struck at the Mount Tai disciples from behind.
No war cries. No shouts or curses.
Nearly a hundred Pajeong Sect disciples closed the distance in an instant, and only then did another Mount Tai first-generation disciple belatedly shout.
"Behind us! Damn it! The rear!"
But Mount Tai Sect's lineup was two first-generation disciples, ten second-generation, and eighteen third-generation.
Bunch of greenhorns. Bringing that many third-gen disciples.
Of course, I knew their intent.
They figured it'd be an easy win. Probably planned to let the third-gen kids hang back and gain some experience.
That's what third-gen disciples are. Still kids. Some not even adults yet.
Of course, their skills would be top-notch.
Most joined around when Mount Tai Sect became the supreme orthodox sect.
So they got the best resources and training. Even the worst were at least first-rate.
But experience? Next to none.
At best, some sparring. How many real matches had they fought?
Life-or-death duels? How many times had they taken a life with live steel?
They joined after the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War ended and Mount Tai rose to the top.
The Pajeong Sect was a demonic underworld faction—and a cunning one at that.
Fair and square? Probably not even their dogs fought that way.
So their first targets were obviously the frozen third-gen disciples.
Mount Tai Sect had marched here openly over two days.
Blatantly, flaunting it for all to see.
They'd have scouted the numbers by now.
Setting priorities wouldn't have been hard for Pajeong Sect.
"Second-gen, protect the third-gen!"
So Jinung shouted urgently. The second-gen disciples swiftly formed a line in front of the third-gen ones.
Then the Pajeong Sect disciples surged in. Chaos erupted.
One third-gen disciple who couldn't dodge in time got a bloody gash across his chest.
"Argh!"
His scream ignited the clash of weapons.
Mount Tai's second-gen disciples responded with surprising calm.
But there were a hundred of them. Pajeong Sect's numbers were a hundred strong.
Even one-on-three left extras. And over half of Mount Tai's were third-gen.
Screams echoed everywhere.
Some from Pajeong Sect, but Mount Tai's were louder.
Especially the third-gen ones. Pajeong wasn't fighting one-on-three.
One held up a second-gen while the rest hammered the third-gen first.
"Damn it! No! Changman! Seongdu! Argh!"
So Jinung swung his sword like a madman to save the third-gen disciples, but it was futile.
Too many. Above all, Pajeong Sect ignored So Jinung.
"Nooo!"
The third-gen disciples fell one after another. The second-gen weren't unscathed either.
Of course, over half of Pajeong Sect had dropped too, but it didn't seem to matter.
Mission accomplished.
Most of the fallen weren't even that skilled anyway.
Good enough.
It all happened in a flash while I watched, but no need to stick around.
Not all Mount Tai disciples would survive.
The first- and second-gen might be kept alive for negotiations, but they'd still lose.
The presumed Pajeong Sect Leader was here too.
So I slipped away quietly to the back of the crowd.
Time to check inside. The retainers who'd gone into Pajeong Sect.
The one I'm interested in is in there.
Hiding my presence, I circled to the rear and leaped onto the rooftops.
No one saw me.
If they did, I'd drag them straight to Ink Sword Grove for training.
Talent like that deserves it.
From the rooftop, I scanned below.
Quickly spotted the Heavenly Martial Body guy.
Whoa. Still alive. But he looks in danger.
The retainers who'd entered were locked in fierce combat with the Pajeong Sect disciples inside.
Interesting part was the Pajeong disciples' positioning.
Seemed aimed at blocking the retainers from retreating outside.
Yeah. That was the plan from the start.
Block the entrants and split them up.
That was the role of the hundred Pajeong disciples inside.
Capturing and killing retainers was secondary.
What to do.
Intervene?
Don't want to step out. Face would get exposed.
So another way. As long as he doesn't die, that's enough, right?
Not hard. The guys slashing away below were yawn-worthy at best.
Top tier? Second-rate maybe. Barely.
Helping the Heavenly Martial Body guy is simple.
Alright then... let's try it.
I formed qi threads. Thin as needles, tossed them lightly.
A Pajeong disciple charging at the Heavenly Martial Body guy took one in the thigh and tumbled.
Hm. Blocked at least one injury.
Toss another. Hits a different guy's shoulder, throwing his greatsword way off course.
Saved a life this time. But he won't know. Tsk.
Like that.
Minimal intervention, but enough.
As long as he doesn't die or lose limbs, fine.
Watching him, I checked the outside too.
So Jinung fighting what looked like the Pajeong Sect Leader.
His disciples' deaths had him radiating fury as he swung wildly.
But that's the problem. Why get heated? Should be fighting cool-headed at best.
That was his downfall. Got too riled up.
Chaos from his misjudgment. Desperation to recover.
Plus wounds from facing multiple Pajeong disciples.
Less than ten exchanges in, the Pajeong Leader's sword sliced off So Jinung's left arm.
Arm flew, he lost balance and collapsed.
"All Mount Tai Sect invaders, drop your weapons and surrender!"
Pajeong Sect disciples raised their morale at the sight and shouted.
With So Jinung defeated, Mount Tai had no chance. Well, not since the rear ambush anyway.
Second-gen disciples captured one by one. Pajeong disciples at the gate stepped aside completely.
Finally, the retainers still holding out inside learned the situation outside.
Mount Tai disciples sprawled on the ground. So Jinung down with one arm gone.
Clang after clang as retainers' weapons hit the dirt.
They knelt one by one. Pajeong disciples moved among them, securing positions.
It was over. Mount Tai Sect's arrogant assault ended in total failure.
Mount Tai disciples and retainers bound after acupoint strikes, lined up.
Probably bargaining chips, so not killing them.
Mount Tai Sect will face some humiliating negotiations. Arrogance demands such payment.
Wonder how it'll go? Curious.
Guess I don't need to stay.
Time to head to Mount Tai Sect. Wonder what the Mount Tai Leader's reaction will be.