Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Namgung Jang-cheon's Yin Art
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The warriors from the Yeon Kingdom placed absolute trust in the Hebei Paeng Family.
The warriors from the Zhao Kingdom placed absolute trust in the demons of Ghost Valley.
Therefore, a clash was inevitable.
"You bastard sons of bitches, who the hell do you think you are, crawling up here!"
"This was originally neutral territory—what the hell are you talking about!"
"Kill them all!"
"Charge!"
Kagang!
Kwajijik!
As the two forces collided, Namgung Jang-cheon's eyes never left the demons of Ghost Valley for even a moment.
He focused intently on every single one of their movements, as if searching for something.
"Keuak!"
"Uwaak!"
Two from the Zhao Kingdom side were the first to spit blood and collapse.
What had caught Namgung Jang-cheon's attention were the hulking brutes wielding massive greatswords with their enormous frames.
These men handled greatswords—blades so heavy that an ordinary person would struggle just to swing them—as lightly as twigs, dominating the battlefield.
'As expected of the Hebei Paeng Family.'
Proclaiming themselves the hegemon of Hebei and having built a reputation over centuries as the world's greatest sword family, they lived up to their name without question.
Even the Qin Kingdom marked the Hebei Paeng Family as the Yeon Kingdom's martial force most deserving of caution.
Kwang!
Finally, a Paeng Family warrior clashed with a demon from Ghost Valley.
As greatsword met sword, dirt and dust erupted like a waterfall.
The impact was so fierce that the surrounding warriors had to fall back to avoid the billowing cloud.
'This fight will be a landslide for the Yeon Kingdom.'
Namgung Jang-cheon's prediction proved spot on.
Not even a quarter hour had passed since the clash began, and already the Zhao Kingdom forces were falling back.
Though there were two demons from Ghost Valley, the Paeng Family had five warriors arrayed against them.
Individually, the demons held a slight edge in prowess, but they couldn't overcome the numerical disadvantage.
"Keuak!"
In the midst of it, Zhao Kingdom warriors continued to collapse, spraying blood.
Excluding the two handling the demons, the other three Paeng warriors charged at the Zhao Kingdom men, and the tide turned swiftly.
Kwajik!
"Keuk!"
A sword blocked a greatsword, but the overwhelming difference in power cleaved both blade and man in two in a gruesome display.
It was then.
"Ugh!"
One Paeng Family warrior groaned and staggered.
A demon's strike had slashed his chest.
As the demon lunged to behead him, another Paeng warrior struck from behind.
The demon had no choice but to abandon his target and retreat backward.
"You bastard sons of bitches!"
"Take out those skinned freaks first!"
The Paeng Family warriors turned as one toward the demons of Ghost Valley.
It was then.
Piiik!
At the shrill blast of a horn, the Zhao Kingdom forces began to withdraw.
Coincidentally, several of them fled straight toward the spot where Namgung Jang-cheon lay hidden.
Namgung Jang-cheon placed his hand on his sword hilt.
'Come this way.'
He waited for the demons of Ghost Valley.
He had no intention of intervening, but he had no plans to let them escape alive either—of course, if the situation allowed.
Papapak!
Several Zhao Kingdom warriors dashed past Namgung Jang-cheon.
He ignored them and kept his eyes on the demons.
It was then.
The demons raced toward Namgung Jang-cheon's position.
Silently, Namgung Jang-cheon drew his sword.
A white sword aura rose along the blade.
Flash!
"……!"
Startled by the streak of light, the demon instinctively twisted away.
But the flash was far faster than the eye could follow, and the demon couldn't evade it.
Seok!
The severed head soared into the air.
The other demon, shocked by his comrade's sudden death, hastily veered off course.
'Not a chance.'
Namgung Jang-cheon pursued the demon.
* * *
"Look over there!"
The Paeng Family warriors and Yeon Kingdom warriors gazed up at Namgung Jang-cheon soaring above the treetops.
"Is he one of ours?"
"Who knows."
"That guy just killed a Ghost Valley demon like it was nothing. If he's not one of ours, then where did he come from?"
No one could hide their astonishment at Namgung Jang-cheon's lightness skill.
But they had no time to give chase.
They couldn't be sure when more Zhao Kingdom forces might strike.
"Everyone alright?"
A Paeng Family warrior checked on the group.
No fatalities, though several warriors were bleeding.
It had been a small skirmish, but a decisive victory.
"Back to camp."
"Yes!"
* * *
Namgung Jang-cheon pursued the demon.
Having sensed his presence, the demon fled desperately without looking back.
But Namgung Jang-cheon's lightness skill had long surpassed the superhuman realm.
Judging that he couldn't shake his pursuer, the demon shouted toward the Zhao Kingdom warriors.
"Tell the Valley Lord that Namgung Jang-cheon is here!"
The demon twisted in midair and unleashed a sword strike at Namgung Jang-cheon.
Swaeak!
The flung sword streaked like lightning toward Namgung Jang-cheon's chest, but it was merely a futile struggle.
Namgung Jang-cheon dodged the sword and charged straight at the demon.
The demon swung both hands in a final desperate attack, but Namgung Jang-cheon's blade was faster.
Puk!
"Keuk!"
The sword pierced the heart and protruded from the back.
The demon shuddered like a fish impaled on a harpoon and collapsed.
Thud!
Namgung Jang-cheon narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the Zhao Kingdom warriors fleeing in all directions.
"Revealing my presence was a decent judgment call."
Regret washed over him.
His arrival here had been exposed far too soon.
Of course, he could chase and kill a few more, but he couldn't catch them all now that they had scattered.
Namgung Jang-cheon looked down at the demon.
'These bastards keep their internal energy suppressed, then unleash it all at once when attacking. Judging them by aura alone, even stronger experts could fall to them.'
It was something he hadn't noticed during their earlier clash, so the regret of being exposed was somewhat alleviated.
He lifted his head and gazed east.
West led to the Zhao Kingdom camp, east to the Yeon Kingdom camp.
'If word of my arrival spreads, they'll launch a massive manhunt. Which means I'll have to linger near the Yeon Kingdom camp and wait for them to come.'
In the end, Namgung Jang-cheon turned his steps toward the east, where the Yeon Kingdom's Southern Legion was stationed.
Right after he departed, the demon's chest—pierced by his sword—froze over white.
Zzzijak!
Namgung Jang-cheon had never once unleashed this horrifying Yin Art against an enemy.
"It's still not perfect. While I'm here, I need to train it properly."
* * *
The Yeon Kingdom forces claimed a crushing victory in the scout skirmish.
Seeing it as a prelude to greater battles, the entire camp erupted in cheers.
The Paeng Family's formidable prowess in the fight was on everyone's lips.
The news reached Yi Hwan's ears as well.
Clink.
The room was thick with the aroma of Dragon Well tea.
Savoring the finest Dragon Well tea gifted by Yi Yeong had become part of Yi Hwan's daily routine.
"Ghost Valley demons among the enemy scouts?"
"Yes. There were two, but the Paeng Family warriors overwhelmed them. However, they say there was a very strange figure at the scene."
"A strange figure?"
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and fixed Song Hoe with a stare.
Song Hoe continued.
"Someone was at the battle site. He killed one demon effortlessly and then chased after the Zhao Kingdom forces before vanishing."
It was the kind of talk that pricked the ears.
A master capable of easily slaying a Ghost Valley demon had been at the site.
Yi Hwan nodded silently.
"Definitely suspicious. If he vanished, he's not one of ours. Any distinctive features in his attire or weapon?"
"Yes. They said he appeared quite young. Accounts vary slightly, but piecing them together, he seemed to be in his early to mid-twenties."
If true, it was astonishing.
How many in the world could so effortlessly kill a Ghost Valley demon at that age?
"Speaking of which, the Paeng Family has boosted camp morale considerably. Most of those who sortied were in their twenties, and they overwhelmed the demons."
"Numerical superiority is an insurmountable wall at similar skill levels. Glad to hear it, but no need to get carried away."
Clink.
"Bring some more hot water."
"Yes."
As Song Hoe rose, Go Mi entered.
"Prepare some for the Moon Lord too."
"Yes."
Go Mi sat across from Yi Hwan.
"New intel?"
"Rumors are circulating in the enemy camp that Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince may come to the front lines."
"Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince?"
"Yes. We haven't uncovered the reason or purpose, but the likelihood seems high."
"Strange. On a stage set by the Southwest King to flaunt his power, the Crown Prince he ousted shows up at the battlefield? What oddballs."
"The issue is that even a disgraced Crown Prince travels with considerable forces. Rumor has it his escorts are among Zhao Kingdom's top martial experts."
"A Crown Prince would naturally have that."
"You seem awfully calm about it."
"Should I make a fuss?"
"……."
Yi Hwan leaned back in his chair, pondering for a moment.
'If the board gets bigger, should we take in more martial artists?'
With no idea how many martial forces might accompany Zhao's Crown Prince, he felt a twinge of concern.
Careless handling could lead to being overwhelmed, ruining the picture he aimed to paint.
"Ju Tae, you out there?"
"Yes."
Ju Tae entered through the door.
He was wearing an apron.
"What's with the getup?"
"I do some cooking. Good meat just came in, so I figured I'd show off my skills."
"Never mind that. Send a pigeon to your clan—tell them to send down about five men."
"Have the Zhao Kingdom bastards increased their martial forces?"
"Rumor is their Crown Prince might come. Naturally, martial artists will tag along."
"Wait, why would a guy who got chased out show up on the Southwest King's stage?"
"You can ask him yourself later."
"……."
"Hurry with that pigeon."
"Yes."
As Ju Tae withdrew, Go Mi asked with a puzzled look.
"May I ask why you're not requesting reinforcements from the Crown Prince's Palace?"
"Like I have time for that when I'm barely holding off the Empress. Anyway, practice this bit by bit."
Thud.
Yi Hwan pulled a scroll from his bosom and placed it on the table.
Go Mi's eyes widened.
"What is this?"
"A technique I devised. Mastering it will significantly boost your internal energy."
"……!"
Go Mi's eyes grew even larger.
"Internal energy enhancement from a mere technique?"
"What, you think it's impossible? Grab it before I change my mind."
"……Thank you."
Go Mi tucked the scroll into her bosom, her expression a mix of doubt and gratitude.
"From now on, don't venture too deep into enemy territory. If something happens to the Moon Lord, it's as good as me going blind."
"I'll be careful."
"If fighting breaks out, stay near me as much as possible."
"Yes, Great Prince."
Go Mi's heart fluttered slightly.
It was a sensation entirely new to her.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Have a cup of tea first."
"It's fine."
"The Deputy General's preparing it himself. At least out of courtesy."
"……Understood."
Go Mi sat back down.
After a brief silence, Yi Hwan asked abruptly.
"What if we killed Zhao Kingdom's Crown Prince?"
"It wouldn't be easy. And there's no real reason to."
"Why do you think that?"
"Disgraced or not, a Crown Prince is still a Crown Prince. As long as he's alive, the Southwest King has to watch his back, keeping Zhao Kingdom from easily escaping chaos."
"No need to clear away the enemy's turmoil with our own hands, eh."
"His coming here might even be the Southwest King's arrangement. If the Crown Prince falls in battle, it'd be ideal for him."
At Go Mi's words, the corner of Yi Hwan's mouth curled up slightly.
"You've learned well."
"Pardon?"
"I hadn't considered that far. Nearly handed the enemy a gift."
"My thinking might be off."
"No. It's quite logical. If I were Zhao's Southwest King, I'd do the same."
Go Mi was struck anew by the smile spreading across Yi Hwan's lips.
'He truly is unusual. For someone in his position to admit his shortcomings—especially in front of a subordinate—is no small feat.'