The Rebellion in Jizhou (1)
After the treatment had more or less finished, Seo Jun finally found the time to learn the full circumstances that had led Achan and Aon to be taken as slaves.
Their father had been a general tasked with defending the region of Buyeo’s Yowon against the invading Wuhuan. He had died in battle while protecting the fortress, and the two children were captured by the Wuhuan horde at that time and taken prisoner. Afterward, they were sold to a slave merchant from Youzhou who traded with the Wuhuan, then passed from hand to hand until they eventually reached Zhongshan.
Seo Jun explained that the situation required him to move quickly, making it difficult for him to continue looking after them, and asked for their opinion.
“Don’t you worry none, sir. I may still be a bit young, but I can pull more than my weight—two or three grown men’s worth, easy.”
Achan thumped his chest with his fist, declaring that he would take responsibility for Aon and follow Seo Jun faithfully. Seeing the firm resolve in both their eyes, Seo Jun made up his mind.
Strange… I really have taken a liking to them.
“All right, then. Tomorrow we’ll go buy horses for the two of you.”
Perhaps because of their father’s influence as a general, both children confidently claimed they could ride quite well. Achan also showed Seo Jun that he had considerable confidence in his martial skills.
The next day, three horses galloped swiftly out of Nono County’s eastern gate. Achan displayed riding ability worthy of his confidence, and Aon’s horsemanship was also quite advanced for a woman of this era. Contrary to his initial concerns, it seemed travel would not be as worrisome as he had feared.
At full speed the distance could be covered in one shichen, but to give them time to grow accustomed to their mounts, they rode at a more leisurely pace. After two shichen, the party arrived at Anxi County.
Once they had secured rooms at an inn in Anxi County, Seo Jun—realizing he had several days to spare—used the free time to observe Achan’s martial arts. Achan truly possessed talent that matched the confidence he had shown. If properly trained, he could become quite a capable warrior.
Three days after arriving in Anxi County, the people within the county began to stir with growing unease.
“They say a rebel army is riding south toward us on swift horses.”
“I heard their numbers exceed ten thousand.”
“The higher-ups have already started fleeing to other places. Shouldn’t we leave quickly too?”
“This is terrible. We need to run while we still can, don’t we?”
Seo Jun’s group, seated by the window on the inn’s second floor and eating lunch, calmly watched the commotion below.
“As I told you before, I plan to confront the Black Mountain bandits coming this way and then immediately head to Wuji County. You two should stay here at the inn and not go anywhere until I return.”
“But, my lord… how exactly do you intend to face such a massive force alone?”
Achan and Aon were bewildered by how confidently Seo Jun spoke of facing so many enemies by himself. Yet because the man who had saved them seemed so certain, they had hesitated to question him until now. With the situation now upon them, they could no longer hold back.
They can’t know my secrets, so it’s fortunate they don’t see me as some lunatic gambling with his life.
One of the greatest features of Seo Jun’s Fighting God Body trait was its damage reduction effect. From what he had determined, unless the opponent was a general-level warrior with considerable martial prowess by the standards of this era, inflicting a serious wound on him would be extremely difficult. Especially against untrained bandit rabble like these, even giving him a minor scratch would not be easy.
The Qiang tribesmen he had faced before had at least possessed real combat experience and organized fighting strength, which was why they had managed to leave him with a few small wounds. Even then, none of the injuries had been deep—most were shallow cuts at best.
“I can’t tell you the exact details, but just as my blood possesses special abilities, so does my body. I don’t get hurt easily. I’ll watch for an opening and kill only their leader. Just the leader.”
When Seo Jun licked his lips with the tip of his tongue, the two children couldn’t help but flinch.
He looks like a predator eyeing its prey.
Just as they thought, to Seo Jun the approaching Black Mountain bandits were nothing more than game to accumulate Karma.
Around noon the next day, roughly five thousand Black Mountain bandits gathered before the county walls. They clashed their weapons together in a show of force.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The county commandant of Anxi County had mobilized every available soldier, stationing them along the walls. Standing atop the gate tower, he watched the coming battle with visible tension. The county magistrate had fled with his family the moment he heard the enemy was approaching. The commandant himself had wanted to run, but too many people were watching him. He had no choice but to remain.
The difference in military strength is overwhelming.
“If we hold just a little longer, reinforcements will arrive from the grand administrator’s and inspector’s offices! Steel your hearts and prepare to repel the enemy’s attack!”
Despite his own faltering resolve, the commandant shouted encouragement to the defenders. The longer the soldiers fought desperately, the slightly higher his own chances of survival would become.
Clop, clop, clop.
From the bandit ranks, a large man mounted on horseback rode forward. Wearing a rather thick breastplate for a bandit and possessing a fierce face, he carried a massive axe resting on his shoulder.
“I am Wu Zegeun, second-in-command! Who is in charge here?! If you open the gates and surrender obediently, I will spare the lives of everyone inside the city!!”
To the life-valuing commandant, it was a sweet temptation, but he could not trust the bandit’s words.
“Our soldiers will give their lives to defend this county! If you value your own lives, turn tail and crawl back to whatever hole you came from!”
“Long live the commandant!!!”
Though his heart wept, the commandant had no choice but to shout words he did not truly believe. Thanks to his effort, the morale of the soldiers preparing for battle rose slightly despite their tension.
Seo Jun had been observing the situation a little longer before acting, but it looked as though the siege would begin at any moment. He quickly scaled the wall and approached the commandant’s side.
“Commandant, I am Seo Jun of Sakbang. My courtesy name is Baekryong. I possess considerable confidence in my martial skills. If you open the gates for just a moment, I will challenge them to single combat and defeat their leader, that Wu Zegeun fellow.”
“What nonsense! Some nameless white-clothed fool thinks he can step forward just anywhere?! Stand down!”
The commandant was already so tense that every hair on his body stood on end. Now some unknown man with no official position suddenly wanted to take the lead. He exploded in anger. The commandant was not the type to pay much attention to rumors, so he had not yet heard or remembered anything significant about Seo Jun.
It’s a low-risk gamble. Should I just let him try?
Still, simply trusting him carried risks. If he lost, the impact on the soldiers’ morale could be devastating.
“It may sound like bragging, but I have previously defeated three hundred Qiang warriors who were attacking Han merchants. If you give me the chance, I promise you will not regret it.”
“Three hundred Qiang…? Ah! Then you must be the Black Wind White Dragon whose name has been spreading among the merchants lately. Yes, that was the name.”
“I am embarrassed to confirm it, but yes, Commandant.”
“Very well. Are you confident? The morale of every soldier in this county will shift greatly depending on your victory or defeat.”
“Yes. I will certainly win and repay your faith, Commandant.”
With a low rumble, the city gates suddenly began to open. Wu Zegeun thought the county was surrendering and a smile spread across his face. But when a single rider galloped out and the gates immediately slammed shut again, rage quickly replaced his smile.
“You bastards! I came out alone because even all of you together are no match for me! Does that so-called second-in-command have the courage to face me one-on-one?!”
Once outside, Seo Jun pointed his spear at the lined-up bandits and roared.
“This bastard’s got a hole in his face and just spews whatever nonsense comes out!”
Wu Zegeun was momentarily at a loss over what to do with the lone rider. The man had come out openly challenging him to single combat. If they all swarmed him at once, even a bandit horde would look terrible doing so. Yet facing someone who had stepped forward with such confidence also made him uneasy.
What if he’s actually incredibly strong?
After a brief hesitation, Wu Zegeun made his decision. He would trust in his own skill, which few within the Black Mountain bandits could match. He gripped his axe, spurred his horse, and slowly approached Seo Jun.
If word spreads that I avoided single combat, those bastards back at camp will definitely use it against me later.
“Young man, your courage is admirable. This great second-in-command Wu Zegeun shall be your opponent!”
His booming voice matched his massive frame. Whoosh! Whoosh! Wu Zegeun swung his huge axe in wide arcs, attempting to intimidate Seo Jun.
Looks like the type who relies purely on brute strength.
“Seo Jun of Sakbang!”
Seo Jun gripped the shaft of his spear with one hand and raised it horizontally.
“Hah!”
Clop-clop-clop-clop-clop!
The horses charged at full speed. The distance between the two men closed in an instant.