Chapter 112: Wieon Mountain Villa (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: Wieon Mountain Villa (3)
After defeating the forces of Wieon Mountain Villa in Tuanfeng and Huanggang, the Heavenly Sword Hall rendezvoused at the foot of Mount Eon.
In terms of sheer numbers, the Heavenly Sword Hall was no match for Wieon Mountain Villa. They had to lure out and defeat portions of the villa’s forces one by one, and their timing had been impeccable.
Led by their two Vice Villa Masters, Wieon Mountain Villa was in the middle of launching consecutive attacks on smaller sects. The Heavenly Sword Hall didn't even need to devise a complex strategy; they only had to strike them from behind.
Thanks to this, their mission proceeded smoothly.
"Jun, welcome back. Did you take care of the Vice Villa Master on your end?"
Namgung Jun nodded. "And you, Master? Did everything go well?"
"Of course. I didn't even have to step in. Heo Il handled it."
"Oh, is that so?"
"It did take him a bit of time, though. Once they passed fifty exchanges, I was honestly tempted to just step in myself."
Heo Il, who had been listening from behind, quickly chimed in to protest. "You misunderstand, Young Hero Namgung. The Vice Villa Master I faced was a man called the Wrathful Wind Sword. He used a swift sword technique, so I merely traded a few more blows with him out of curiosity."
"It seems his skills were quite formidable."
"Ahem. Still, he was nothing compared to you, Young Hero Namgung. You must have faced the Steel-Centered Bladesman, Hyeok Woo-seon. How did that go?"
Namgung Jun frowned slightly. "The Steel-Centered Bladesman? That title is far too generous."
"Hmm?"
At Heo Il's questioning look, Gong Jun-am spoke up curtly.
"His blade shattered in their very first clash."
Instead of asking further, Heo Il simply continued up the mountain path. He didn't need to hear the rest to know how it had ended.
Namgung Jun looked toward the walls of Wieon Mountain Villa, which clung to the distant mountainside.
"Since the two Vice Villa Masters possessed decent skills, the Villa Master himself must be quite formidable," he commented.
"According to the Bright Affinity Pavilion, he has achieved the harmony of the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. He's at the absolute peak of the Peak Realm."
"No wonder he felt confident enough to stretch his reach everywhere and cause such a ruckus."
"But that ends today." Lee Se-ha lightly draped her arm over Namgung Jun's shoulder. "Jun, you'll take on the Villa Master yourself."
"You're not going to step in, Master?"
"Even though we've successfully whittled down their forces, there are still plenty of men left in the villa. It's not that we're at a disadvantage, but I think we need to conserve our strength."
Her disciple understood immediately. As the clash between the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Wudang Sect intensified, the situation in Hubei Province grew more chaotic by the day. Wieon Mountain Villa's bold movements were merely one symptom of that chaos. In other words, the Heavenly Sword Hall might receive another mission immediately after this one. As the Hall Master, Lee Se-ha was already looking ahead.
"It won't take long," Namgung Jun said.
"I'll assign Gong Jun-am and Heo Il to you. Jun, you focus entirely on slaying the Villa Master."
"Understood."
By the time they drew near the villa's main gate, the Heavenly Sword Hall had finalized their roles. The Fourth Group leaped across the rocks, moving toward the rear of the villa to block any escape routes. The remaining three groups followed Lee Se-ha toward the main gate.
"Breach."
Crash!
At Lee Se-ha's single command, the martial artists of the First Group smashed through the main gate and charged inside.
"Enemy attack!"
"It's the Azure Heaven Association! The Azure Heaven Association is here!"
As shouts and alarm bells echoed from all directions, the rest of the Heavenly Sword Hall's swordsmen crossed the threshold.
"Wow, look at the luxury of these pavilions. The villages over in Heuryong are starving because of these bastards."
"Forget it. They're just scum who plundered from the common folk to expand their influence and buy elixirs for their Villa Master."
"Alright, let's wrap this up quickly. Look at them pouring out."
The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall didn't even assume a formal formation, moving as freely as if they were on a casual stroll. Though their formation appeared loose, the martial artists of Wieon Mountain Villa could not easily penetrate it. Though they seemed to move at random, each swordsman was instinctively aware of the others, covering every blind spot.
Although Wieon Mountain Villa had far superior numbers, it was the Heavenly Sword Hall that drove the offensive.
After briefly assessing the battlefield, Namgung Jun immediately veered to the side, heading toward the residence of Wieon Mountain Villa's master.
"Let's go straight there."
"We'll clear the path. You won't have to lift a finger, Young Hero Namgung."
Heo Il brought his gourd to his lips, while Gong Jun-am silently moved to the front, using his greatsword as a shield.
Crunch!
Boom!
Escorted by his two seniors, Namgung Jun entered the largest pavilion in the villa. Guards were stationed on every floor, but none were experts capable of stopping Heo Il and Gong Jun-am.
"Seniors, please rejoin the main battle."
Seeing Namgung Jun prepare to ascend to the top floor alone, the two swordsmen nodded. The Namgung Jun of today was not someone they needed to worry about.
After confirming they had headed back down, Namgung Jun stepped into the main hall alone. At the far end, Amrimgaek sat perched on an ornate chair.
"I've heard the news. You're the one who killed Brother Hyeok?"
"Amrimgaek."
Amrimgaek, openly sizing up Namgung Jun, slowly rose to his feet.
"The reputation of the Azure Star Sword is famous, but for the Black Cloud Wandering Maiden not to come herself... Does she underestimate me so much?"
Leaping from his chair, Amrimgaek closed the distance in the blink of an eye, appearing directly in front of Namgung Jun. He thrust his left palm forward, narrowing the gap until drawing a sword was nearly impossible. A sinister smile played on his lips, as if this was entirely intentional.
Namgung Jun, however, merely observed Amrimgaek's movements with an indifferent expression.
Thng!
He flicked the tip of his scabbard with a finger laced with internal energy. The hilt shot up, striking the base of Amrimgaek's palm. The force concentrated at the end of the hilt was so immense that Amrimgaek's attack faltered for a moment.
"You bastard!"
His nostrils flared, clearly caught off guard by such an unorthodox response. Twisting his upper body to shift aside, Amrimgaek unleashed a succession of palm strikes. Mud-colored palm shadows surged forward, obscuring the view. Namgung Jun didn't bother to clash with them head-on; instead, he executed the Infinite Steps to widen the distance.
Three waves of Palm Force surged toward his chest as he retreated. Observing the muddy, undulating energy, Namgung Jun raised his sword to a mid-level guard and whipped up a gust of sword wind.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Despite the successive explosions, the sword wind of the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique stood as firm as a wall. Ultimately, Amrimgaek tore through the sword wind with his bare hands and lunged forward, but Namgung Jun refused to engage him directly. He strictly maintained his distance, avoiding physical contact at all costs.
After exchanging seven forms, Amrimgaek took a few steps back. Even with a surprise attack, he had failed to penetrate Namgung Jun's solid sword momentum.
"Usually, when responding to a first strike at such close quarters, one would counter with a fist or palm… You know of my martial arts."
"I heard you mastered a poison palm. You've been buying up all kinds of poisons alongside spirit elixirs."
The palms of Amrimgaek's hands were entirely mud-colored, with occasional glints of green. If Namgung Jun had countered with the Heavenly Thunder Palm Technique in their first exchange, the poison qi would have undoubtedly invaded his hands.
"Do you think you can defeat me just by dodging?!"
Amrimgaek's movements shifted. Now that his poison palm had been exposed, he no longer hid his toxic qi. Instead, he openly unleashed it, attempting to pressure Namgung Jun. His blackened hands desperately tried to touch Namgung Jun, but to no avail. Every attempt was deflected by a razor-sharp sword form, forcing him to worry about getting his own hands sliced off instead.
This brat. His movements are different. We are in the same realm, so how can this be?
Having traded over thirty exchanges before he knew it, Amrimgaek grew increasingly grim. Judging by Namgung Jun's aura, it was clear he had only achieved the harmony of the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and had not yet reached the state of unity. Yet, he moved as if guided by an entirely different level of perception, his movements a clear step above. His seasoned responses already defied his young age, but it was his profound sword skills that felt truly threatening.
If this continued, and he remained unable to use his poison palm, defeat was certain. As anxiety began to consume him, Amrimgaek roared.
"You brat! I know you've mastered an extreme yang internal energy! Let's see how it fares against my poison qi!"
"Why should I?" Namgung Jun twisted his shoulder to dodge the Palm Force, his sword sweeping out casually.
Slash!
Amrimgaek's left arm was cleanly severed below the elbow.
"Aaargh!"
"Is this the end? What a waste of time. I was expecting a hidden trump card."
Shaking his head in disappointment, the young swordsman adjusted his grip on the Eternal Righteous Sword. For the first time in this battle, Namgung Jun, who had focused entirely on retreating, took a step forward.
Even as he screamed, Amrimgaek violently swung his severed arm, attempting to spray his poisoned blood at Namgung Jun. Namgung Jun blocked the droplets with his bamboo hat while twisting his waist to the side. Simultaneously, he slashed upward diagonally with the Eternal Righteous Sword, sweeping across Amrimgaek's upper body.
"Cough!"
His chest slashed open, Amrimgaek spat out blood. Even as he collapsed, he stared up at Namgung Jun.
We are both at the peak of the Peak Realm. How can there be such a vast difference?
Kneeling on the floor, Amrimgaek felt Namgung Jun's presence loom over him like an insurmountable mountain. A profound despair seeped into his body, leaving him as limp as if he had been poisoned by his own hand.
"You… with such perception and talent, how have you still not achieved unity?"
"Everyone has their own wall to overcome."
Amrimgaek's eyes widened as he looked at Namgung Jun's serene expression. Unlike himself, who had succumbed and stagnated, the boy's answer carried an unyielding will.
Is this the difference?
The moment that realization struck him, Namgung Jun swung the Eternal Righteous Sword.
Spurt!
Leaving Amrimgaek's decapitated corpse behind, Namgung Jun mentally reviewed the battle. Amrimgaek was undoubtedly an expert at the peak of the Peak Realm. Though they were in the same realm, Namgung Jun had defeated him far more easily than expected. While his experiences from his past life certainly played a part, the martial path he had forged from scratch in this new life had truly proven its worth.
Once I gain a certain level of martial insight, I should be able to materialize it into a new sword technique.
But Namgung Jun did not try to rush. As long as he swung his sword diligently, insight and inspiration would eventually find him. For now, it was best to focus on the present.
He looked around the main hall and walked toward the railing on the outer side of the pavilion. It seemed Amrimgaek had often stood here to look out over his villa.
"I heard they stole this villa after murdering the original owner, then gradually expanded it."
Between the pavilions, he could see the fierce combat unfolding below. The martial artists of Wieon Mountain Villa and the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were clearly visible. In every corner of the battlefield, the Heavenly Sword Hall held a decisive advantage. Whenever they faltered due to numbers, Lee Se-ha would invariably appear, displaying the majesty of a supreme expert. Even if he didn't step in, the battle would conclude smoothly.
The Heavenly Sword Hall. They've grown considerably stronger since I first joined.
However, he could not afford to be satisfied with this. The opponents the Heavenly Sword Hall would have to face in the future were the elites of the Demonic and Heretical Paths.
Once my martial insight is properly established, it wouldn't be a bad idea to pass down a sword technique.
The majority of the Heavenly Sword Hall had already mastered the Great Derivation Sword Technique. Only a few First Clouds who still lacked enlightenment lagged slightly behind, but with a little more time, they would undoubtedly master it as well. Given their foundation, they would easily adapt to whatever sword technique he might create in the future.
*
The martial artists of Wieon Mountain Villa were completely wiped out. But that was not the end. They still had to organize the villa's wealth and documents.
It was their second day at Wieon Mountain Villa when a bird of prey flew down to Lee Se-ha. It was a messenger eagle, capable of delivering messages directly from the main headquarters to a Fourth Cloud.
Unrolling the letter attached to its leg, Lee Se-ha nodded lightly.
"Just as I thought."
"What is it, Master?"
"The Wudang Sect has officially requested our Association's support." Lee Se-ha looked at the surrounding members of the Heavenly Sword Hall and declared, "Wrap things up here quickly. We're heading straight to Mount Wudang."