The First-Rate Warrior Who Surprised the Divine Sword (2)
I decided to travel with the Namgung family warriors.
I'd originally planned to stop by the Namgung family before heading back to Tae-eul Gate anyway, but Namgung San had insisted with a line like, "You have to come with us. Grandpa's furious that I let you go alone." He wouldn't back down, so in the end, we set off together.
"It'll be a while before we see each other again."
At the moment of parting, Moyong Sangwon let out a heavy sigh.
"I'll stop by the Moyong family when I have time," I said to comfort him, but he shook his head.
"No need. How could I tell a busy man to come and go as I please? I'll visit Tae-eul Gate myself."
"...Uh, I probably won't be at Tae-eul Gate much anyway, what with all sorts of things coming up."
"Even better."
"Pardon?"
I couldn't make heads or tails of what Moyong Sangwon meant by that cryptic remark.
"Oh, right! Do you have any preferences when it comes to women? Anyone you dislike?"
His sudden question made me tilt my head.
"Not really. I've never dated anyone."
Sadly, neither in this life nor my previous one had I ever been with anyone. A sudden wave of self-loathing hit me—what the hell was I even doing with my life?
"Really?? Then, you don't feel repulsed by women who are much stronger than you?"
There wasn't a single woman my age who could match my current level of martial prowess. Moyong Sangwon's question, still unaware of just how far I'd come, only drew a wry smile from me.
"I think a kind heart matters more than that."
"Haha! Then you've got nothing to worry about."
"...?"
I had no idea what he was getting at, but he nodded in satisfaction anyway. Leaving him behind, we headed back toward Anhui Province.
Traveling with the Namgung family warriors was incredibly comfortable. For starters, no one dared block our path. Over a hundred riders on horseback, with a standard-bearer at the front hoisting the Namgung family's flag high. Even the bandit strongholds notorious for exorbitant tolls kept their heads down. In mid- or large-sized cities, the Namgung family's own merchant groups or trading houses handled lodging, so we never had to worry about inns. If there was nothing around, their advance scouts would secure an entire guest house ahead of time. And the rooms assigned to me were always on par with Namgung San's and Namgung Seonhwa's. All things considered, this was the most luxurious journey of both my lives combined.
One day out from the Namgung family estate. With Gu'eon Mountain looming ahead—the last hurdle—Namgung Seonhwa urged her horse up beside mine.
"You really wouldn't mind if a woman was stronger than you?"
After the long journey together, sharing meals and all, formalities had all but vanished between Namgung San, Namgung Seonhwa, and me.
"What's this about?"
"...Well, you know, that talk you had with the young mistress at Cheongmyeong Escort Agency..."
"Ah..."
In my previous life, most female warriors had been stronger than me. Even Hong Saryeon had outpaced me in martial attainment, and Moyong Seol, whom I'd meet later, had been leagues ahead.
"When a man and woman fall in love, what does it matter who's stronger?"
"Still..., men don't usually like women stronger than them."
"Wouldn't it be better that way? No worries wherever you go. If she steps up to protect me, that'd be even greater."
"Hmm..."
Namgung Seonhwa made an odd noise and nodded thoughtfully.
"But is it true you've never been with a woman?"
There'd been that awkward incident at Cheongmyeong Escort Agency, but afterward, she'd treated me warmly, as if she'd forgotten all about it. Dealing with women had never been easy for me, but her constant questions made conversation effortless. The only downside? Her stunning beauty drew snide remarks from passing warriors and travelers whenever she spoke to me.
"Hah! That punk must have a fox tail or something."
"Must be loaded with cash."
>
"With a Namgung girl fawning like that, his family's gotta be big shots."
I overheard their mutterings but couldn't call them out since they weren't talking to me directly. Besides, in my previous life, I'd been just like them, jealous and bitter—no real anger stirred in me.
"I grew up at Tae-eul Gate my whole life. Who was I supposed to meet? And any girl who heard I was from Tae-eul Gate would run the other way."
"Was there ever a girl you were interested in?"
"..."
It felt like she was grilling me relentlessly.
"Guess not."
"...'Guess not?' Didn't you say you never forget anything you've remembered even once?"
I had no clue why I kept answering her barrage of questions, but it was definitely more comfortable than our first meeting at Ma-ryeong Plateau.
What to do...
I gazed at Namgung Seonhwa with conflicted eyes.
I'd saved her at Ma-ryeong Plateau, but the problem remained: her life was still in grave danger. The Namgung family would face a massive war after losing her. They'd wipe out sects tied to the Mita Seongsu incident, shaking the family to its core. Amid the chaos, the collateral branch would attack Namgung San. He was too skilled to die, but he'd suffer deep internal injuries, leaving him unable to properly channel his energy for life.
The collaterals aimed to isolate the main line and seize control, despite the main family already delegating all external affairs to them. They deluded themselves that the Divine Sword would never raise his blade against his own blood, tarnishing the family name.
But when the truth came out by chance, the Divine Sword slaughtered every collateral bearing the "Namgung" name. The family's power plummeted, and they couldn't withstand the Demonic Cult's might, leading to their downfall.
The collaterals' plot hadn't even begun yet. They'd likely target a main family member as the opening shot.
If they're going to strike anyway, it'll be Namgung Seonhwa, not Namgung San.
Namgung San might be tied up with family duties, but he was part of the elite Yongbong Assembly, reserved for top Murim Academy graduates. Targeting someone nearing the Peak realm was a tall order even for the collaterals. Namgung Seonhwa was the obvious choice.
It pained me that I knew but couldn't warn her.
"Why can't you answer? You remember but won't say?"
"Lady Seonhwa."
"Yes?"
"Gu'eon Mountain's just ahead. We should hold off on talking for now."
A sly smile curved her lips.
"Nice dodge. What bandit hold would dare attack under the Namgung banner?"
Unlike her relief, my senses picked up presences lurking in Gu'eon Mountain.
About five hundred?
Not exact, but roughly that many were hiding their auras meticulously. A far cry from previous mountains, where they'd spied from afar. This felt like tigers lying in wait for the kill.
As we properly entered Gu'eon Mountain, the wide path began narrowing. Glancing back, the Namgung warriors were chatting, tension eased.
They haven't noticed yet.
I pondered how to raise their guard when, fortunately, Namgung San seemed to sense something. He raised his clenched fist high.
"Halt."
Neigh!
The horses whinnied at the abrupt stop.
"On guard. We're being watched."
No sooner had Namgung San spoken than the Namgung warriors bristled with killing intent. A fitting response from a prestigious family's elites.
"Advance slowly."
The horses moved again, the path now so narrow only two could pass abreast. Then, a massive boulder blocked the way dead-on.
"Draw swords!"
Shing! Shing! Shing!
At Namgung San's shout, the warriors drew in unison. They knew the boulder was no ordinary rock.
A tense silence fell, broken by the twang of bowstrings.
"Arrows!" I yelled.
Whoosh!
Arrows rained from the cliffs like a storm the instant I spoke.
"Argh!"
"Urk!"
Warriors struck unaware tumbled to the far side. The rest abandoned their horses, diving behind cover or batting away shafts.
Rumble!
Boom. Boom.
A landslide roared from behind, boulders sealing the retreat.
Enemies atop the cliffs fired madly from cover, making the ascent impossible.
"Damn it! Abandon the horses!"
Most were already dying from arrows. The warriors shoved them down the slope, carving out space.
Namgung San tried breaking through to the cliffs, but it was no easy feat. I quickly told him,
"Senior Brother, buy me a moment. I'll head up."
"You?"
"Yes. I have a way."
"...Understood."
Namgung San sheathed his sword and gathered energy in his palms.
"Raaah!"
He unleashed Cheonpung Zhanggong. Explosions ripped the air as part of the cliff crumbled, sending archers plummeting.
Whoosh!
Seizing the gap, I embedded my Flying Dragon Claw in the cliff face, kicked off the wall, and vaulted atop in one leap.
"U-Up top!"
The archers panicked, loosing arrows, but I slammed my retrieved Flying Dragon Claw into the ground, dodging effortlessly.
"Argh!"
With no need to mind the Namgung warriors' eyes anymore, I fanned out Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion like an opening fan.
"Guh."
"Kek!"
"Puh!"
Fifteen illusory swords claimed five archers in a blink. Swordsmen behind tried intervening, but the lined archers hindered them. How many could draw with death at their throats?
Blood rained as I weaved through them. By the time swordsmen closed in, clashing blades, I'd gauged their levels.
Between first- and second-rate. Black path martial arts. Retired soldiers for archers?
Anhui had the Namgung family as overlords—no major black path forces. These outsiders knew who we were and struck anyway.
Has the collateral branch moved already?
In my previous life, Changgung Merchant Group—claiming the Salt Lord's seat after Wang Soso's death and Wang Geumsan's resignation—had stirred early. This was almost late by comparison.
"Young Master Sowoon! You alright?!"
With the arrow storm halted, Namgung warriors climbed up.
"I'm fine. Damage below?"
"Holding for now. But as the arrows stopped, ambushers from the slope base are advancing."
Trapped front and rear, squeezed from sides. Five hundred against Namgung elites? Doable odds.
"I'll handle the archers first."
"Please do."
Not expecting much from me, they turned to the swordsmen. I darted cliff's edge, picking off archers, then yanked climbers up with my Flying Dragon Claw.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
No time to question the thin chain's strength. Once enough gathered, they formed Changgung Geomjin.
"Formation!"
The sword array held; outmatched foes couldn't break through and fell to sharp blades instead.
Clearing cliff-hangers, I scanned below. If I were the collaterals plotting this, I'd aim to kill Namgung San or Seonhwa. Sure enough, bandits desperately blocked their array entry.
The warriors maintained a stable formation, but the two were precarious. Corpses piled around Namgung San, but Namgung Seonhwa's wounds mounted.
I leaped down, firing my Flying Dragon Claw into a tree. Using its tension to swing, I kicked off and stabbed Socheon Sword Technique into two assailants behind her.
"Th-Thank you."
She noticed from blood splattering her face.
"Save it for later."
I thrust Socheon Sword Technique again.
Splat!
Another fell. But no breathing room—fresh foes filled the gap.
Bandits focused on the pair, who were clustered together. Three couldn't handle that swarm.
"Lady Seonhwa! Pardon the intrusion."
"Huh?! What—"
I scooped her waist, fired the Flying Dragon Claw, and soared on its rebound.
"Kyaaah!"
Firing into a great tree, I deposited her atop the cliff, then sent Namgung San a transmission.
-Senior Brother, can you take cover behind that boulder?
Too busy fighting to reply, he nodded.
-I'll signal.
I pulled a silver pinecone-like object from my bosom. A gift from Yang Gunbaek, Akyang's Black Spot chief, in lieu of Friend Signal.
This'll rile Sichuan's ghosts, but with the Divine Sword leading, it'll blow over.
Baekmo Hwatong—a golden hidden weapon from Sichuan's Tang family, poison and projectile masters. No clue how it ended up in Akyang's underworld, but it was our salvation now.
Namgung San was nearly lost in the human tide.
-Now!
Baekmo Hwatong won't trigger by force, but pressing its leaves with inner energy a certain way sets it off on the slightest impact.
Namgung San dove behind the rock at my cue. I flicked the airborne Baekmo Hwatong with my Flying Dragon Claw.
Shrrrk.
Leaves unfurled, unleashing a storm of Umochim needles.
Whoosh!
Like their arrows, but near-invisible, the needles poured down.
Bandits toppled like felled rice sheaves.
"Guh."
"Kuh!"
"Hng!"
"S-Spare..."
Fifty dropped in seconds, plunging the field into silence.
Namgung San leaped from cover, roaring like a lion.
"Any who wish to meet their end against the Great Namgung Family's elites?! Stay if you dare!! We take no prisoners!!"
Bandits hesitated, then fled down the slope or retreated from the cliffs.
Surviving Namgung warriors cheered.
"Woooah!"
I descended with the dazed Namgung Seonhwa. Namgung San approached, his eyes complex as he saw me carrying her.
"Thanks. ...I owe you again."
"No big deal."
He shook it off, eyeing the wounded.
"Who the hell had the guts for this? Bandits gone mad en masse?"
He hadn't caught on yet.
"From up top, they especially blocked you and Lady Seonhwa from joining the formation."
"Huh?"
Their blank stares lingered.
"...My guess? This ambush targeted you two specifically."
"!"
"!"
I drove it home.
"But it's odd. Who'd dare strike the Namgung main line in Anhui? With five hundred slipping past eyes and ears scattered province-wide."
"..."
"..."
Their exchanged glances hardened their faces.