Save the Henan Yun Family! (2)
Finally, they've come.
I was even a little glad to hear the clear sounds of approaching footsteps. I didn't know the exact date, but one thing was certain.
The Black Faction alliance of Henan Province strikes the Henan Yun Family a total of three times.
The Black Faction thugs were incredibly cunning and cautious. Despite their brutal nature, their survival instincts were strong, so the first raid was surprisingly stealthy and inconspicuous. At most, they'd poke around the rear warehouse, checking the logistics and surroundings. They didn't even touch the herbs stacked there. Not because they didn't need them, but because they planned to haul it all away during the final raid.
Which means today's visitors are here for reconnaissance.
That's why I had no plans to attack or kill them today. They came at roughly three-day intervals, so once I knew when the first strike happened, the rest was easy.
Swoosh!
Slipping through the dark predawn hours, with almost no one guarding the rear warehouse except me, the Black Faction group felt safe.
"Retreat."
They must have thought it looked too easy, because they even announced their withdrawal aloud. Now that reconnaissance was done, they figured they'd achieve their goals in the second and third raids.
Let's see about that.
I glared at the departing Black Faction thugs, grinding my teeth. While they inspected the herbs and goods in the rear warehouse, I'd noted the number of Black Faction members gathered today and their approximate martial skill levels.
Lots of them, but few elite first-rate masters.
As was typical for Black Faction rabble, first-rates were rare; second- and third-rates dominated. The Henan Yun Family, distant from martial arts, might have been helpless, but with me at the peak realm and Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon on par, I wasn't worried. In fact, as I realized they were all slipping away...
"You're all dead men walking by our hands."
I resolved to accelerate the extermination of the Black Faction.
* * *
According to the novel, after the first scout, there were two more raids. The second invasion was when they'd finally loot all the herbs and goods, and the last saw them reveal themselves, strip the remaining Yun Family assets, and murder Yun Gwang, the only son of Yun Yeop—the sole crime that must be stopped.
"Black Faction thugs came yesterday."
As soon as day broke, I sought out Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon.
"What?"
"You serious?"
They were stunned, instantly gearing up for a fight. Not knowing the future, they must have half-doubted the Black Faction would really invade.
"And I overheard their plans too."
Explaining how I knew the enemies' plans was simple: I'd eavesdropped on the cocky Black Faction group's scheming. Everyone got it immediately. Nothing beats preempting information.
"Before they enter the rear warehouse and hit the Henan Yun Family, we strike first."
I waited with Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon for the three days to pass.
Peng Jincheon wanted to inform the Yun Family and get their help, but I shook my head.
"Would the Yun Family believe us?"
They obviously wouldn't. Worse, they might suspect and chase us off. Better for us three to wipe out the Black Faction and show results.
Three days passed, and we hid our forms in the bamboo grove that anyone heading to the rear warehouse had to pass through.
[Attack on my signal.]
I sent the telepathic message, and Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon nodded, waiting for the right moment. Meng Yuon might still be skeptical—unlike the perceptive Peng Jincheon—but that doubt didn't last.
Shh!
In the deep predawn night, about thirty men moved stealthily, masking their presence.
There they are!
I knew at a glance. Clad in black uniforms, faces covered in cloth—these were the Henan Black Faction alliance, the culprits who drove Yun Yeop mad and corrupted him. They were also the bandits who mercilessly raided the Yun Family, which brought medical grace to the entire Central Plains after leaving the martial world.
Ten times our number.
But I wasn't afraid. Only two or three among them were noteworthy masters. I targeted the one at the front.
They hadn't spotted us, while we'd spotted them. A surprise strike to behead their leadership was key.
"Now!"
As the Black Faction group headed for the rear warehouse, I leaped in and signaled my comrades.
At the same instant—
I unleashed twin palms with full power. For maximum force, I blended not my usual Vast Step Thousand Li Heart Method but the Divine Myth Heart Method, pouring in all my inner energy.
Boom!
With the chill night air, frost bloomed on my hands as the powerful cold twin palms created an ice storm, crashing down on the enemies.
No interest in the small fry.
My plan was singular: take out the leaders first. I'd instructed Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon to target the strongest-looking ones on the assault.
I extended my hand toward the frontman, a master from the Night Brain Lian of the Black Faction alliance—Eight Directions Sword Sa Jung Hyo. His one good eye and oddly shaped lower jaw jogged my memory.
He was the one who'd later slaughter many righteous faction members in the Great Righteous-Demonic War.
The murderer of Yun Yeop's only son, Yun Gwang!
How could I let him live? In the original story, Yun Yeop had healed protagonist Cheon Myeong's legs when no one else would, even paving the way for late-blooming ascension through body modification. Even if that future changed, as Cheon Myeong's vessel, I owed Yun Yeop repayment.
Kaboom!
My fury-laced twin palms poured down on Sa Jung Hyo and several Black Faction warriors.
"Gahhh!"
Like a midnight sledgehammer, the sudden ambush panicked Sa Jung Hyo, but he drew his sword to defend—a fitting response from the strongest first-rate master present.
But his luck ended there.
I'd anticipated even a scrub defending against this. As he assumed a guard stance, I whipped out Moon Palace Finger's piercing wind.
One of Moon Palace Finger's myriad strengths was unmatched blood point suppression for immobilization.
Thuk!
The sharp finger wind pressed Sa Jung Hyo's acupoint, subduing him instantly. He stiffened in agony, unable even to open his mouth.
"Get him!"
With their leader fully neutralized, I bellowed to my comrades. No need—they were already on it. Peng Jincheon, versed in both letters and arms, had independently beheaded enemy commanders without my order.
And not just him—
Flash!
Even Meng Yuon, whose timid nature hindered real combat, was berserking wildly today.
"H-How dare you try to smash such a peaceful place. I won't forgive you!"
From his words, the Yun Family's harmonious vibe must have reminded him of his Fighting Sword Sect home, stirring empathy for the enemies. Good—explains why he fought so well.
Grinning, Meng Yuon avoided hot-blooded frenzy, channeling his swift sword profitably. We easily culled half their numbers.
"Where do you think you're running!"
I pursued relentlessly to prevent any escape or flanking. The midnight battle raged, and after about an hourglass, the enemy was routed. Only Eight Directions Sword Sa Jung Hyo survived.
Some might question sparing him while showing no mercy to others, but no—these scum targeted the Henan Yun Family, which strove to cure the Central Plains' plagues. Letting them breathe was a waste; from the martial world's view, their deaths helped more.
"Huff, huff."
"It's over."
Even top masters tire facing ten foes alone. Yet Peng Jincheon and Meng Yuon, fully leveraging their skills, panted with pride.
I felt the same.
Done. We've stopped the Yun Family's annihilation!
This small act by three saved not only Yun Yeop from corruption but the merciful medical Yun Family too. Greater pride was impossible.
"Cheon Myeong, why spare that one?"
Peng Jincheon asked sharply.
"He's our witness. We need someone to testify they came to loot the Yun Family."
"I see."
He nodded, convinced. I had other reasons to keep Sa Jung Hyo alive.
After cleanup, dawn crested midday. We straightened our clothes and headed past the rear warehouse to the Yun Family compound.
"S-St Servants from Cheonmu Academy!"
"What happened?"
"That blood... who's that?"
Our battle-worn, bloodied arrival shocked Deputy Head Yun Ja So, Steward Gu the Elder, and others.
They'd seen us as guests doing nothing suspicious, so our captive and fight traces were alarming.
"Deputy Head, here's what happened..."
I calmly explained everything to the stunned group. The Black Faction targeted them, even planning extermination.
"Unbelievable!"
"Such impudent scum!"
Fury erupted; they seemed ready to behead the lone survivor themselves. Steward Gu, the longest-serving retainer, raged fiercest.
"Deputy Head! Cut his head off now. He's worthless alive!"
The Yun Family cherished life and rarely killed, but genocidal foes were different.
Nod.
With Head Yun Yeop away, all authority lay with Deputy Yun Ja So. He nodded, about to order the execution—
"Wait, we need verification first."
I stepped in, blocking between Sa Jung Hyo and the Yun Family.
"Verification?"
Stunned Yun Ja So, and—
"No need! Kill him now!"
Gu the Elder insisted hotly.
To prevent mishaps, I shielded Sa Jung Hyo from Yun Ja So while gripping Gu's hands firmly.
Grip!
Hard.
"Ack! What is this?!"
Gu, pushing for severity, yelped in shock at being restrained.
"There's an internal traitor who guided the Henan Black Faction alliance to the rear warehouse."
And that traitor was none other than this man—the Yun Family steward, Gu the Elder.