Chapter 128: Fierce Battle Valley (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Fierce Battle Valley (1)
Hunan Province.
It was a region where the influence of the Demonic and Heretical Paths was strong.
Although the South Hengshan Sect, one of the Five Great Mountains Sword Sects, was located in central Hunan, they remained passive and took no active initiatives. Since ancient times, the South Hengshan Sect had focused its efforts on defending its own territory, protecting only the immediate vicinity of Mount Heng.
The peace of Hunan Province and the livelihood of its people had long been pushed to the wayside.
With the South Hengshan Sect focused solely on its own safety, the influence of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and Fierce Battle Valley naturally grew stronger.
"Thanks to that, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult is expanding its territory in Hunan with ease. It's a relief that Fierce Battle Valley is holding the line in the middle. Otherwise, the cult would have swallowed the province whole a long time ago."
"Fierce Battle Valley. I heard they don't touch commoners."
While Namgung Jun recalled what he had learned at the Third Cloud Training Camp, Jang Mu-yeon unwrapped a bundle he had been cradling in his arms. It was food they had received from the village where they’d stayed the previous night—a special meal prepared by an innkeeper who had been deeply moved by Jang Mu-yeon's sword dance.
Jang Mu-yeon tossed a rice ball to Namgung Jun and continued.
"To Fierce Battle Valley, commoners are just boring people who don't know martial arts. It’s the other martial artists that are the problem."
Fierce Battle Valley was a gathering place for martial artists who were obsessed with fighting. Not only did they beat each other up, but if they saw a reasonably strong-looking martial artist passing by, they would often pick a fight without warning. They were a group that provoked all kinds of martial artists and sects simply for fun or out of boredom.
They made no distinction between the Righteous and Unorthodox Factions and frequently clashed with the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult as well. If one were to trace the causes of the various conflicts, both large and small, that occurred in Hunan Province, Fierce Battle Valley was responsible for a massive portion of them.
"Ugh. The spicy food of Hunan really doesn't agree with me."
Jang Mu-yeon scowled, looking as if he had just bitten into a chili pepper hidden inside his dumpling.
Watching him, Namgung Jun quietly pried open his own rice ball. He wasn't very confident when it came to spicy food, either. After checking the ingredients inside, he gently set it down.
"So, is this mission about resolving another conflict started by Fierce Battle Valley?"
"Hmm. No, not quite. If anything, we're here to appease them."
"Please explain."
Jang Mu-yeon popped the entire dumpling into his mouth, his face crumpling. It must have been incredibly spicy, as his face flushed red.
"I made a pact with the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley. In exchange for a martial duel once a year, Fierce Battle Valley agreed not to join hands with the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
"The Sun-Moon Demonic Cult tried to ally with them?"
"Yeah. The cult offered them great opportunities to clash with the Three Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Mountains Sword Sects."
"That would have been a huge boon for the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult. They could have used Fierce Battle Valley to deplete the Righteous Faction's forces while also diverting their attention."
Jang Mu-yeon replied as he rummaged through the bundle, searching for something that didn't contain chili peppers.
"Rationally, yes. But those bastards in Fierce Battle Valley actually considered the proposal, even though they knew they were being used."
"Then how did you stop them?"
"I proposed the pact I just mentioned to the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley."
Recalling that time, Jang Mu-yeon chuckled softly while chewing.
"The Lord of Fierce Battle Valley is a real character, too. He took my proposal and shoved it right in the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's face, demanding a chance to have a martial duel with their Cult Leader every year. Of course, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult refused."
"And that's how the alliance fell through."
"One martial duel a year. If that's all it takes to prevent a power on par with the Five Great Masters under Heaven from joining the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, it's a cheap price to pay."
Namgung Jun let out a soft sigh.
Jang Mu-yeon spoke playfully, but he was essentially risking his life to prevent Fierce Battle Valley from siding with their enemies. It was by no means a light mission. The political landscape of Hunan Province, precariously balanced between the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, Fierce Battle Valley, and the South Hengshan Sect, hung on a single duel.
"What is my role in this?"
"I was in Closed-Door Cultivation for a long time, so I missed last year's duel. As compensation, we added another match: one between the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley's Head Disciple and one of our Hall Masters."
"So I just need to fight his Head Disciple."
"Exactly. I was wondering who to bring, and then I sensed your presence just in the nick of time."
Namgung Jun nodded.
"Do not worry."
"I'm not worried at all. You can trade blows with me, after all. There's no way you'll lose to some brawler from Fierce Battle Valley. Just show them the elegance of a dancer."
"I am not a dancer."
Jang Mu-yeon winked.
"If you dance with me, you're a dancer. The Lord of Fierce Battle Valley will probably be shocked when he sees you. That guy is absolutely infatuated with my sword dance."
* * *
Hongja Mountain Region.
This was a mountainous region in northeastern Hunan Province. Rolling hills and valleys were common sights, but the canyon at its northernmost tip was exceptionally vast and deep.
The area saw almost no foot traffic. While the canyon's massive scale and complexity made it difficult to access, it was also because countless brawlers had settled deep within.
Thus, the largest canyon in the Hongja Mountain Region was named Fierce Battle Valley.
Even after walking deep into the canyon, the walls seemed to stretch on endlessly. Countless footprints, sword scars, and traces of various weapons marred the cliffs. The further they went, the more rapidly the signs of human activity increased.
It's incredibly vast.
Only after venturing deep inside did the roofs of pavilions begin to appear sparsely beyond the clay-colored cliffs.
"This is Fierce Battle Valley," Jang Mu-yeon said.
Namgung Jun looked around. A vast, artificially shaped space unfolded before them. It seemed to have once been a much narrower area, but they had expanded it by manually collapsing cliffs and smashing the canyon walls.
How utterly chaotic.
The buildings lacked any sense of unity. There were grand pavilions that looked as though they had been built by skilled carpenters, but there were also dilapidated thatched cottages and mud huts hastily thrown together just to keep out the rain. Dwellings carved directly into the canyon walls like caves were also a common sight.
The houses and various pavilions were all clustered in the corners, leaving a massive, flattened dirt clearing in the center. Though called a clearing, it was so vast that one could easily establish an entire sect on it.
Boom! Crash!
Fights were breaking out all over the clearing. Some were engaged in fierce martial duels, while others were tangled in a chaotic brawl of over a dozen people, as if a gang war had erupted. There was even one master taking on a crowd alone, parrying their coordinated attacks.
A few spectators watched the fights from a distance, shouting unsolicited advice, only to start trading blows themselves when their opinions clashed.
Taking in the panoramic view, Namgung Jun muttered softly, "It is quite chaotic."
"It's a mess every time I come here."
The moment the dancer and the young swordsman set foot on the clearing of Fierce Battle Valley…
Whoosh!
The various fights taking place across the clearing ground to a halt all at once. In the aftermath, dozens of Qi Waves tangled into a single gale that swept irritably across the clearing.
Turning their heads in unison, the gazes of all the Fierce Battle Valley martial artists locked onto Jang Mu-yeon.
"The Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord! The crazy dancer is here!"
"We're in for a rare treat today!"
"It's a festival!"
Roars thick with battle lust erupted from all directions. It felt as though the vast valley shook, if only for a moment.
Incredible.
He could feel the atmosphere of Fierce Battle Valley heating up in an instant.
Crash!
The window of the tallest pavilion shattered as the silhouette of a man soared into the air. After rising higher than the pavilion for a brief moment, the man plummeted diagonally, crossing the clearing in the blink of an eye.
Despite soaring and plunging with such fierce speed, the moment his feet touched the ground, all the residual force dispersed into nothingness. Arriving before Jang Mu-yeon with a terrifying movement art, the man stirred only a gentle breeze.
He was short, but his frame was broad and heavily built. It was as if a stone statue carved from diamond had come to life. Namgung Jun realized this man, slightly shorter than himself, had to be the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley.
The Lord of Fierce Battle Valley sized Jang Mu-yeon up from head to toe, stroking his bushy beard.
"Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord. Are you in good shape? It would be a problem if you were to disappoint me."
"Has my sword dance ever disappointed you?"
"Hmph. Since you were in Closed-Door Cultivation for so long, I suppose I'll have to take your word for it."
The Lord of Fierce Battle Valley shifted his gaze to Namgung Jun.
"A Third Cloud? He's not a Hall Master."
"He is our association's rising star, the Azure Star Sword."
"I have heard of him. The one who made a name for himself at the Wudang Sect's tournament…"
After studying Namgung Jun with curious eyes, the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley nodded.
"I expected you to bring a Hall Master from one of the Three Powerhouses."
"In my eyes, he is more than enough."
"We'll see when he fights."
Jang Mu-yeon snorted and asked, "Where is your Head Disciple who's supposed to duel this time?"
"Here he comes."
Namgung Jun turned his gaze. While the other martial artists hesitated to move in the presence of their Lord, a group of people was closing the distance.
Five men and women. Judging by the outstanding aura each of them exuded, they all appeared to be disciples of the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley.
Namgung Jun looked at the man walking at the very back. He seemed too old to be a Rising Star, yet not quite forty. He looked to be in his early to mid-thirties.
He's quite decent.
Just as Namgung Jun was observing the man, the man's gaze was fixed on him as well.
Among the five disciples, the boy at the very front spoke up. He looked the youngest of the group, seemingly around Namgung Jun's age.
"Only a Third Cloud? Shouldn't a Fourth Cloud be the one to face Eldest Brother? Given his age, it seems more fitting for me to handle him."
Everyone's attention focused on the young disciple. The Lord of Fierce Battle Valley and the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord were no exception. Perhaps feeling the gazes of two peerless masters on him fueled his confidence.
The boy spoke with a face full of conviction, his voice clear and loud enough for everyone to hear.
"If Master and Eldest Brother permit, I will face him. A Fourth Cloud martial artist is a more suitable opponent for Eldest Brother."
"You…" the man addressed as Eldest Brother tried to interject, but he fell silent at a restraining gesture from the Lord of Fierce Battle Valley.
The corners of the Lord's eyes twitched with amusement. It seemed he knew exactly what the outcome would be if his disciple clashed with Namgung Jun, yet he was intentionally egging the fight on. Finding the situation highly entertaining, he barely held back his laughter.
"How about it? Trade a few blows. I'm curious."
Namgung Jun asked indifferently, "Am I allowed to be rough with him?"
"Of course."
Letting out a soft sigh, Namgung Jun gestured with his hand.
"Come."
"You're quite arrogant!"
Just as the boy was about to charge forward with high spirits…
Namgung Jun did not draw his sword. He merely rested his hand on the hilt.
Rumble!
Sword Pressure erupted from the Eternal Righteous Sword. It slammed down on the boy just as he was about to rush forward. Unable to withstand the immense pressure, he was forced to his knees in a pathetic display.
He can't even shake it off?
Namgung Jun was currently in the middle of refining the insights he had gained at Mount Wudang, and he used the boy before him to gauge his progress.
"Argh!"
The boy struggled to stand, but he could not overcome the pressure.
"Hmm."
Namgung Jun slowly took a step toward him. He had been learning Return to Simplicity and Truth by observing Jang Mu-yeon on their journey. Since he had kept his aura extremely faint even after entering Fierce Battle Valley, it was understandable that the boy had failed to recognize his true strength.
Even so, Namgung Jun's skill in concealing his aura was not yet perfect. The Head Disciple, for instance, seemed to have seen through it to some extent. If the boy before him had paid just a little more attention, he likely would have sensed something was amiss. His rash words and actions were largely to blame.
The moment Namgung Jun's hand touched the crown of the boy's head, the pressure crushing him vanished instantly.
"Before you learn how to fight, you must first learn how to read your opponent."