Masks of the Crouching Dragon
After departing from Shaolin, Woo-gang's group advanced smoothly toward Sichuan alongside the Bing Palace contingent they had encountered midway.
Whether the enemies knew of the Bing Palace warriors' involvement was unclear, but in any case, there were no further ambushes or signs of approach.
Rather than simply traveling together, the Bing Palace martial artists scouted ahead, probing for any movements and gathering intelligence.
This allowed the group to move all the faster and more easily.
Of course, they never let their guard down.
The foes struck in unexpected moments with ingenious methods.
In this way, Woo-gang's party progressed steadily, passing through Henan Province and entering Shaanxi Province.
No sooner had they entered Shaanxi than a towering rocky peak loomed before them.
Even from afar, it looked treacherous to climb—a sheer, jagged mountain that was none other than Hwasan.
Its aura, solid yet sharp, infused the martial arts of the Hwasan Sect with a similar impression.
As Woo-gang's group drew near Hwasan,
a group appeared clad in purple uniforms, exuding an unyielding presence.
At their waists hung swords adorned with tassels shaped like plum blossoms.
Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
These were the elite sword wielders of Hwasan, selected after enduring grueling trials and rigorous examinations.
By age, they seemed akin to later-generation disciples, but Plum Blossom Swordsmen commanded far greater respect in the martial world.
Having overcome far harsher ordeals, their skills were acknowledged as a level or two superior.
Such elite figures were rare even within Hwasan itself, yet over a dozen now stood before Woo-gang's group.
Geomwang and Woo-gang heightened their vigilance at their arrival.
One might argue they wouldn't resort to the same ploy twice, but disguises as trustworthy figures like Shaolin warrior monks or Hwasan Plum Blossom Swordsmen always worked.
Thus, any complacency like "Surely not again?" could easily invite disaster.
"Produce proof that you are indeed Plum Blossom Swordsmen."
At Geomwang's sharp demand, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen faltered.
There were many ways to prove their identity.
The plum blossom tassels on their swords were plain to see.
But Geomwang's question dismissed all such evidence outright, leaving them speechless.
From their flustered reactions, Geomwang discerned they were genuine.
Yet the situation allowed no room for gracious acceptance of their goodwill.
As they hemmed and hawed in embarrassment, Geomwang spoke again.
"If you are truly Plum Blossom Swordsmen, I regret to say this, but a similar incident occurred in Henan Province. Enemies posed as Shaolin monks, and that sparked the Deungbonghyeon affair. So return whence you came. We appreciate your sect leader's kind intentions, but an unscheduled visit is unwelcome to us now."
Geomwang stated firmly.
Faced with such resolve, they had no grounds to insist.
In the end, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had no choice but to withdraw to Hwasan.
They felt a mix of embarrassment and humiliation.
No matter that it was Geomwang—even Plum Blossom Swordsmen weren't so lowly as to endure such treatment.
It was likely the first such rebuff since earning their title.
Watching them depart, Woo-gang spoke up.
"They seemed genuine this time."
"Your eyesight's sharpening. Yes, they were real Plum Blossom Swordsmen."
Woo-gang frowned at Geomwang's reply.
"Then why send them away?"
"A larger group brings complications beyond measure. It draws eyes and slows you down. No need for that. We've already got you, me, and the Bing Palace. Getting too big isn't wise."
"Still, your response felt a bit cold."
This came from Han Seo-yeon.
Geomwang burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Hearing 'cold' from Bing Palace's young lord— that's fresh. Rejecting goodwill is tough; it can wound feelings. But we have cause to refuse them now, thanks to prior precedent. They'll be miffed but understand. A softer touch would've led to haggling, and I hate that mess."
With that, Geomwang spurred his horse onward at a steady pace.
'Besides, it'll be quite the humiliation. Let it fuel their growth. Or they'll end up like Shaolin.'
Geomwang muttered inwardly.
As Geomwang had foreseen, Cheon Hwa-jin-in, Hwasan's sect leader, was greatly displeased upon hearing the report from the returned Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
He knew of the Henan incident.
That was why he had dispatched them as a gesture of goodwill to escort them safely through Shaanxi—only to be curtly refused.
Cheon Hwa-jin-in was not one to let such matters slide.
Once decided, he saw things through.
"Elder O."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Take the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and go yourself. Shaolin's troubles are theirs alone, unrelated to us. Being doubted like this isn't pleasant."
O Elder—Cheon Ok-jin-in—looked troubled but said nothing.
He knew no words would sway Cheon Hwa-jin-in's resolve.
In the end, Cheon Ok-jin-in set out from Hwasan once more with the ten returned Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Woo-gang's group passed Hwasan and neared Ye Mountain the day after sending the Plum Blossom Swordsmen away.
Yet within a single day, they were forced to halt again.
Cheon Ok-jin-in had returned with the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Geomwang scowled at the sight.
Cheon Ok-jin-in and the Swordsmen bowed toward Geomwang, who frowned in evident displeasure.
"I am Cheon Ok of Hwasan."
"I made myself clear enough before."
Cheon Ok-jin-in spoke with evident difficulty.
"I fully understand your position, Geomwang, but our sect leader's will is unyielding. Please graciously allow us to accompany you at least until you pass through Xi'an."
Cheon Ok-jin-in requested politely.
Geomwang let out a deep sigh.
He had thought his firm refusal would suffice, but Cheon Hwa-jin-in's stubbornness had apparently grown in the interim.
"Going back empty-handed would bring your sect leader's wrath. Can't let innocents suffer for it..."
Geomwang trailed off and drew his sword.
Woo-gang tightened his grip on his spear, while Cheon Ok-jin-in and the Swordsmen tensed similarly.
Shiiik!
Suddenly, something large hurtled toward them from one side.
It came from Han Seo-yeon's direction, and Woo-gang reacted first.
His eyes flashed.
Recognizing it as a person, he swung his spear wide instead of thrusting.
Wrapping the shaft around the flying figure like an embrace, Woo-gang spun several times to bleed off the momentum before gently catching him.
Han Seo-yeon's eyes widened in shock.
It was a Bing Palace warrior—already dead.
In that instant, a thick killing intent permeated the air.
"It seems you've walked into a deathtrap."
"Hwasan does not flee from enemies. We fight with our lives on the line—that is our sect's spirit."
Cheon Ok-jin-in replied while scanning their surroundings.
Sst!
As they stayed alert, a figure appeared directly ahead.
First visible was a Bing Palace warrior.
Behind him stood another holding a sword to his throat.
This began it—one by one, others emerged.
All dangled Bing Palace warriors out front; those without stood farther back.
Han Seo-yeon's gaze turned icy.
"You dare..."
As she murmured low,
Sek!
the assailants slit the Bing Palace warriors' throats in unison.
The sight of their limp bodies collapsing burned slowly into Han Seo-yeon's vision.
Craaaack!
The frigid aura she unleashed began freezing everything around her.
Like Woo-gang at Deungbonghyeon, Han Seo-yeon was consumed by rage on the verge of erupting.
Those behind the Bing Palace warriors wore bizarre masks.
Strange symbols adorned them, hiding their faces.
But at the sight, Geomwang's expression hardened.
"Could they truly be from Bokryong Valley?"
His voice trembled faintly.
He had never seen them in person, but their masks were infamous.
Once, children across the Central Plains played with fake replicas.
"These are definitely different from the ones we met before."
Woo-gang replied, eyes fixed on them.
"That makes me all the more uneasy. Feels like the real Bokryong Valley has revived."
As if affirming Geomwang's fears, the masked foes' killing intent intensified.
More worrisome still: their auras were strong, and their numbers greater.
With the scouting Bing Palace warriors all slain and scattered, they were outnumbered.
Then, as if on cue, Woo-gang and Han Seo-yeon stepped forward in unison.
"Doesn't matter who they are."
"If they block the path, we carve through."
Han Seo-yeon and Woo-gang spoke together.
She emanated a venomous chill without cease, while beside her, Woo-gang radiated scorching heat that seemed ready to incinerate all.
Ice and fire.
Opposing natures, yet they didn't cancel each other—instead, they harmonized, repelling the enemies' pressure.
"Is it ignorance that breeds fearlessness, or innate boldness?"
Geomwang muttered, voice quivering slightly.
Watching the two advance without hesitation sent shivers through him.
As he said, perhaps ignorance lent them courage.
But they had purpose, iron will—and above all, youth.
Hadn't Geomwang himself been the same in his younger days?
Geomwang drew his sword and stood beside Woo-gang.
He poured forth his inner energy, refusing to lag behind them.
"Looks like old age brings one last chance to make a name."
Was it the presence of these two rising stars?
Geomwang felt swept up in their youthful vigor.
And that was fine.
For the first time in ages, the pounding heart and thrilling tension stirred a strange excitement.
Behind them, Cheon Ok-jin-in, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, Dang Cheon-yong, and the Dang Family warriors swallowed dryly.
The crisis was plain, yet they harbored expectations of witnessing something legendary, worth dying for.
And at last,
the masked Bokryong Valley assailants clashed with Woo-gang, Han Seo-yeon, and Geomwang.