Chapter 147: Trade Caravan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147: Trade Caravan (2)
The Venerable Spear Sect, one of the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers of Shandong Province.
It was a great sect where the most renowned spearmen of the Jianghu gathered, led by the Southern Shadow Spear Lord.
Since its Sect Leader, the Southern Shadow Spear Lord, had been in Closed-Door Cultivation for over two years, the Venerable Spear Sect was currently run by his son and the Young Sect Leader, the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon.
The middle-aged man, who was leaning back in his chair wiping his spear blade, slowly raised his head.
He had sensed urgent footsteps approaching from a distance.
“Young Sect Leader! Urgent news!”
“What’s all the fuss about?”
The Great-Dusk Spear Paragon glared at the subordinate who had rushed in, panting for breath. As the terrified man quickly fell to his knees, the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon gave a slight nod.
“Report.”
“The Yugyun Gang, the Jeokpa Pavilion, and the Sanhwang Sect have fallen.”
“Weren’t those the hounds we set loose recently?”
“It seems the Azure Heaven Association caught wind of them.”
The Great-Dusk Spear Paragon, who had paused for a moment, resumed polishing his spear. Staring at his own face clearly reflected in the blade, he stroked his beard.
“The Azure Heaven Association. They intervened faster than I expected. I anticipated at least three months.”
The Great-Dusk Spear Paragon recalled the movements of the Ten Halls that the Venerable Spear Sect had been tracking. Of course, they hadn’t pinpointed the locations of all Ten Halls, and given the vastness of the Jianghu, some delay in information was inevitable.
However, even considering all the variables, the likelihood of the Azure Heaven Association's Ten Halls intervening in Shandong Province was low. Currently, the Association was focused on the increasingly active Sun-Moon Demonic Cult. Furthermore, regions with major Righteous sects like the Mount Tai Sect were usually lower on the Association's priority list.
For the Azure Heaven Association to intervene this quickly was certainly unexpected.
“I recall dispatching our sect's martial artists to those three factions to prepare for the Azure Heaven Association or any other variables. What of them?”
“It appears they have all lost their lives.”
“Hmph. Did one of the Three Powerhouses make a move?”
The subordinate swallowed hard and continued his report.
“It was not the Three Powerhouses. It was a group called the Azure Firmament Hall.”
“The ones who caused a ruckus in Jiangxi Province…”
Setting down his spear, the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon let his voice trail off.
The Venerable Spear Sect was, of course, aware of the rumors surrounding the Azure Firmament Hall. But they did not take everything they heard as truth. Stories passed from mouth to mouth naturally grew exaggerated, and the hall’s reported actions were far too destructive to be believed of a newly formed martial force.
It was a feat that even the Three Powerhouses of the Ten Halls would struggle to achieve.
‘As the stories spread, they must have been embellished. It’s also highly likely that the Azure Heaven Association spread false rumors to boost the prestige of their new hall.’
After a brief moment of deliberation, the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon made his decision. Sending out a half-hearted force would only result in greater losses. One only had to look at the total annihilation of the men dispatched to back the Unorthodox factions to see that.
The Great-Dusk Spear Paragon did not let his guard down just because the opponent was a newly formed force.
‘The Azure Star Sword, leader of the Azure Firmament Hall. He also ruined our sect's covert operation regarding the Suseong Sect. Is this some ill fate?’
Because Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong had ruined their plan to swallow the Suseong Sect through the Jeongyeong Gang, their losses had been severe. Since then, the Shaolin Temple had kept a watchful eye on them, making it impossible to target the Hunan plains for the foreseeable future.
He could not allow Namgung Jun to ruin the Venerable Spear Sect's affairs again. Especially not here in Shandong Province, their own backyard.
“Send the Deep-Spear Unit.”
The subordinate flinched at the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon's command.
‘The Deep-Spear Unit! The Young Sect Leader is truly serious.’
The Deep-Spear Unit. The very first thing the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon did upon taking over the sect’s management was to provide massive support to its martial units. Thanks to this, the units that were already considered elite were able to significantly boost their strength. The Deep-Spear Unit was one of the groups that benefited greatly from this.
Deploying the Deep-Spear Unit, undeniably one of the Venerable Spear Sect's finest elite forces, clearly demonstrated his resolve to utterly crush the Azure Firmament Hall.
“Understood.”
*
The Riverbank-Trampling Sect.
It was one of the Unorthodox sects in Shandong Province that had acted as the Venerable Spear Sect's hounds, raiding targeted merchant groups and escort agencies. Since this was the most likely next target for the Azure Firmament Hall, which had already dismantled three Unorthodox sects, the Deep-Spear Unit headed straight for it.
“Fortunately, it seems we were faster.”
A spearman from the Deep-Spear Unit spoke, craning his neck to peer ahead. The distant view of the Riverbank-Trampling Sect appeared no different than usual.
However, Mang Yeom-chang, the leader of the Deep-Spear Unit, only furrowed his brow. His instincts, honed as a Supreme Expert, writhed with an ominous premonition.
“Something is wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“Everyone, steady your breathing. Be ready to unleash your full strength the moment we engage.”
Instructing his subordinates, Mang Yeom-chang slowly raised his long spear.
“Unit Leader?”
The main gate of the Riverbank-Trampling Sect was now close. Mang Yeom-chang pulled his shoulder back and thrust his long spear forward with all his might.
Boom!
A fierce blast of Spear Qi erupted from the tip of his weapon, stretching out to obliterate the main gate. Mang Yeom-chang swiftly charged through the shattered gate and into the courtyard.
“Ah!”
“How can this be…?”
Following Mang Yeom-chang into the sect grounds, the faces of the Deep-Spear Unit's spearmen stiffened one by one.
The Riverbank-Trampling Sect was completely devastated, as if a massive battle had already taken place. Only the corpses of its disciples littered the dirt ground. Not a single body clad in the rumored azure martial uniforms was in sight.
“Are you looking for us?”
One by one, martial artists in azure uniforms emerged from behind the collapsed pavilions and walls. It was the Azure Firmament Hall, revealing their presence after having concealed their auras.
Feeling the overwhelming momentum radiating from them, the members of the Deep-Spear Unit instinctively tightened their grips on their spears. Though they had not yet clashed, it was clear that their opponents were formidable.
‘We're surrounded.’
Mang Yeom-chang scanned the positions where the Azure Firmament Hall members had appeared. Every angle was perfect. Except for the main gate through which they had entered, every escape route was blocked.
“Judging by that youthful face, you must be the Azure Star Sword.”
“And you are Mang Yeom-chang, leader of the Deep-Spear Unit.”
The gazes of Namgung Jun and Mang Yeom-chang clashed in midair. Sizing up the aura of this remarkably young Supreme Expert, Mang Yeom-chang took a half-step forward.
“I hear quite a few Supreme Experts have lost their lives at your hands.”
Thud!
As Mang Yeom-chang slammed the butt of his spear against the ground, the Deep-Spear Unit moved in perfect unison. In an instant, they assumed a specific formation, deploying their Joint Attack Formation.
“I wonder how you will fare in a group battle.”
Vrooom!
Following the profound principles of the Joint Attack Formation, the Qi Wave of the Deep-Spear Unit grew stronger as it flowed through the dozens of long spears. The momentum of Mang Yeom-chang, who stood at the center of the formation, became even sharper.
‘The Deep-Spear Unit. One of the renowned elite forces of the Venerable Spear Sect.’
It was said that these already powerful men had become even more formidable in recent years thanks to the Venerable Spear Sect's full support. Indeed, the Qi Wave of the Deep-Spear Unit deploying their Joint Attack Formation was astonishing, exerting a heavy pressure that weighed down on the entire body.
Yet, Namgung Jun took a step forward without the slightest hesitation.
“So, Mang Yeom-chang is putting on a show. Looks like he’s hiding behind a Joint Attack Formation because he’s too terrified to face our Hall Master in a duel to the death.”
“The bastards we met in the hidden cave and the Fourth Young Master's escort unit were a bit disappointing. Let's see how the Venerable Spear Sect's martial unit fares.”
“They are definitely different from the ones we’ve faced before. Don’t let your guard down.”
One by one, the Cloud-rank members of the Azure Firmament Hall took their positions flanking Namgung Jun. With their arrival, the Qi Wave of the Deep-Spear Unit was gradually pushed back.
The members of the Azure Firmament Hall positioned themselves freely, choosing their intervals and locations at will. And yet, the Qi Wave of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon clearly connected them as one. Though they emitted Qi Waves of different natures, they intertwined exquisitely, growing even more powerful.
“Let's go.”
With Namgung Jun in the lead, the Azure Firmament Hall charged toward the Deep-Spear Unit's formation.
*
Clang! Clang!
Among all weapons, the long spear was a polearm that boasted an exceptionally dominant reach. When dozens of such spears were gathered and moved organically through a Joint Attack Formation, they became far more threatening. The long spear was a weapon whose power amplified with numbers, and the synergistic effect of the formation deployed by dozens of spearmen was immense.
Screeech!
Mang Yeom-chang's lips twitched as he scraped his spear hard against the dirt ground, pushing Namgung Jun back.
‘These bastards. At first glance, they seem to move haphazardly, but when we actually exchange blows, they are extremely precise and calculated.’
Unlike the Deep-Spear Unit, which showed unified, regular movements through their Joint Attack Formation, the Azure Firmament Hall members moved freely, advancing and retreating individually. Yet, they made their opponents feel as if they were facing a single, unified entity, its Qi Wave as cohesive as any formation. Furthermore, their coordinated strikes often displayed a level of precision even tighter than a Joint Attack Formation.
Boom!
Namgung Jun's sword strike, carrying an astonishing amount of Sword Force, surged forward.
Deflecting the long spear smoothly like a whip, Mang Yeom-chang parried the attack to the side while silently moving his lips.
— Do-gyeong! Pull the first squad back half a step! Respond with the Flying Swallow Spear, not the Mountain-Splitting Spear!
— Yu Hae-bi! What are you doing? The casualties on the right are mounting. Stop getting tied down by the enemy and focus on maintaining the formation!
Mang Yeom-chang commanded his unit, sending two Voice Transmissions in rapid succession. At the same time, he kept his hands and feet moving, fending off sword strikes that split into dozens of tricky trajectories.
Slash!
Following Mang Yeom-chang's Voice Transmissions, the movements of the Deep-Spear Unit shifted instantly. The unit, which had been at a disadvantage, regained some of its momentum and pushed the Azure Firmament Hall back once more.
Seeing this, a faint look of satisfaction appeared on Mang Yeom-chang's face.
‘You bastard. I will show you that leading a martial unit requires more than just raw martial prowess.’
While the leader of a martial unit certainly needed outstanding martial arts, the ability to command subordinates was also an essential skill. Mang Yeom-chang figured that while Namgung Jun's martial arts were undoubtedly high, his command abilities would not be nearly as impressive.
‘This field requires solid experience and years of practice. How could a brat like you surpass me? Trying to command via Voice Transmission while fending off my spear… No matter how brilliant your natural talent, your head must be spinning.’
This was precisely why Mang Yeom-chang had chosen a group battle over a one-on-one duel to the death.
“Mang Yeom-chang. You seem busy.”
“What?”
“Are you aware that your strikes and reactions have slowed ever so slightly?”
At Namgung Jun's dry remark, Mang Yeom-chang's eyebrows twitched. A burning sensation searing across his thigh snapped him back to reality. Though it wasn't a deep wound, he was deeply shaken by the fact that he had missed one of Namgung Jun’s variations.
‘When did he…?’
Just as Mang Yeom-chang, having taken a hit, tried to swing his spear again, two swords suddenly lunged from his flanks. Heo Il's Swift Sword stabbed directly at his injured thigh, while Baekri Cheong's upward slash disrupted the trajectory of his long spear.
“You pests!”
Quickly retreating and thrusting his left palm to deflect the consecutive attacks, Mang Yeom-chang panted heavily.
Though his primary opponent was Namgung Jun, the Azure Firmament Hall members interfering from the sides were incredibly annoying. Furthermore, unlike Namgung Jun, he received almost no support from his own subordinates. The Deep-Spear Unit was being pushed back by the Azure Firmament Hall, barely managing to fend off the storm-like onslaught raging from all directions.
At first, the Deep-Spear Unit held a slight advantage, but as the battle wore on, the Azure Firmament Hall had firmly seized the upper hand.
“Did you say something about an advantage in group battles?”
Namgung Jun cut down a spearman standing right beside the frantic Mang Yeom-chang. After slicing through the man’s neck, the Eternal Righteous Sword, naturally positioned low, swept upward once more. It was a sword form of the Great Derivation Sword Technique, rooted in the Azure Firmament Martial Canon.
At that exact moment, Gong Jun-am and Jang Mun-hyeok, flanking Namgung Jun, unleashed their strikes in unison, adding their power to his attack. The synchronized strikes of the three martial artists intertwined and poured down upon Mang Yeom-chang.
Three forms, their power amplified as they locked together.
“This is the difference between the Azure Firmament Hall and the Deep-Spear Unit.”
Facing the three-pronged attack simultaneously, Mang Yeom-chang's eyes widened.
Thud! Crash!
Jang Mun-hyeok's fist strike shattered Mang Yeom-chang's Protective Astral Qi, while Gong Jun-am's greatsword pinned down the movement of the long spear in his hands.
In that split second, Namgung Jun's empowered sword strike sliced clean through Mang Yeom-chang's spear and pierced his chest.
“Ugh…”
Mang Yeom-chang let out a weak groan and slowly collapsed.
‘Mang Yeom-chang… It was a miscalculation.’
Had he chosen a duel to the death, he might have lasted longer. By underestimating the Azure Firmament Hall's coordination in group combat, he had suffered a far more brutal defeat.
“Unit Leader!”
“How can this be!”
A stark despair washed over the faces of the Deep-Spear Unit's spearmen, who had been gritting their teeth to hold back the Azure Firmament Hall.
*
They had the information and evidence gathered while wiping out the four Unorthodox sects, combined with timely intelligence from the Bright Affinity Pavilion and the Lower Filthy Heaven. Furthermore, the Venerable Spear Sect had blatantly intervened by directly deploying the Deep-Spear Unit.
One did not need to dig any deeper to know that the Venerable Spear Sect was heavily involved.
“For now, we have dealt with all the culprits behind these raids. It’s a relief that the trade caravans, including the Yeongjun Merchant Group, have concluded their business safely.”
“Now, the problem is the Venerable Spear Sect behind them,” Namgung Jun replied.
Baekri Cheong recalled their past mission dealing with the Venerable Spear Sect’s martial artists, who had been backing the Jeongyeong Gang.
“Hall Master, this is a similar situation to back then.”
“Yes. It wouldn't be surprising if the Venerable Spear Sect made another move at any moment. After all, this is Shandong Province.”
Although they had settled things for now, as long as the Venerable Spear Sect remained, there was a high probability that something like this would happen again. Yet, the Azure Firmament Hall could not stay in Shandong Province indefinitely, and there was a limit to what they could accomplish against the Venerable Spear Sect with their strength alone.
“Brother Baekri. Shouldn't we finish this properly, just like we did back then?”
Baekri Cheong smiled gently, as if to say he would support his brother no matter what he decided.
“I agree with the Hall Master's opinion.”
Having made his decision, Namgung Jun took a step forward.
“We must head to the Mount Tai Sect.”