Chapter 170: Silent Rage (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: Silent Rage (2)
Jiyuan, Henan Province.
Located in the northwestern part of Henan Province, Jiyuan sat just south of the border. A short journey north would lead directly into Shanxi Province.
"You've arrived."
Namgung Jun, who had been meditating on an unnamed hill, slowly opened his eyes.
The spot where his gaze landed was shrouded in deep shadow.
"We are all here."
A grim voice echoed from the darkness, accompanied by two flashing red gleams. Hyeokri Yu revealed himself, hanging upside down from a branch like a bat.
Kang Gok, who had been chewing on beef jerky, tossed the rest into his mouth.
"Let's start the meeting."
Namgung Jun unfolded a map of Shanxi Province he had received from the Ink Fragrance Department. The map detailed the local terrain and was covered in numerous dots of various sizes, marking the major strongholds of the Great-Axe Green Forest in Shanxi Province.
With Taewol Fortress—the stronghold of the Heaven-Treading Axe Emperor—at its center, a network of subordinate strongholds was scattered across the region.
"Looking at this map, it seems they've built a vast defensive wall around Taewol Fortress."
"Indeed. The influence of the Great-Axe Green Forest, radiating from strongholds strategically placed along key routes and tactical points, extends across all of Shanxi Province," Hyeokri Yu chimed in, still staring down at the map from his inverted position on the branch.
"A preemptive strike to break through their major strongholds."
"Senior Hyeokri is correct."
Namgung Jun pointed to six dots that were slightly smaller than the one representing Taewol Fortress. Though smaller, these six were still exceptionally large compared to the rest.
Shuozhou, Dingxiang, and Lanxian in northern Shanxi.
Xia County, Gu County, and Changzhi in southern Shanxi.
The strongholds in these six locations were all ruled by masters who were supreme experts of the Great-Axe Green Forest. They also served as the core pillars of the defensive network surrounding Taewol Fortress.
"The three northern strongholds exist to keep the North Hengshan Sect in check. Since the North Hengshan Sect has agreed to help us, the leaders of those three strongholds won't be able to move freely."
"Even with an alliance, it's surprising they'd lend a hand so readily."
"That's likely because the threat of the Great-Axe Green Forest became too great to ignore. In fact, those three northern strongholds had been subtly encroaching on the North Hengshan Sect's territory, putting pressure on them."
"Hmph! They just stood by and watched as the Great-Axe Green Forest grew its power, and only now they decide to act?" Kang Gok shook his head irritably, his thick jowls trembling.
"That leaves the three southern strongholds. They're also right on our path."
"We must destroy these three first to open a path to Taewol Fortress. That way, we won't be disturbed during the main battle."
"Yes. The Clouds of the Shanxi Branch will do their best to block the other minor strongholds and buy us time."
Hyeokri Yu's bloodshot eyes scanned the southern terrain of Shanxi Province.
"We strike them individually."
Namgung Jun and Kang Gok nodded in agreement. The plan was for the three halls to move separately, crush the three major strongholds, and then rendezvous to advance on Taewol Fortress.
Although they had the support of the Shanxi Branch and the North Hengshan Sect, they had to wrap things up as quickly as possible. If they dragged their feet, other strongholds could join the fray at any moment.
Considering the locations and distances, as well as the speed of each hall's lightness skills, moving together to crush the strongholds sequentially would likely end in failure.
"The key is to clear the strongholds with minimal casualties."
"Don't worry. The Crushing Hall will sweep them away in an instant."
"We'll handle it swiftly through assassination."
After confirming the two hall masters were on board, Namgung Jun asked, "Are there any other questions?"
This question was not directed at the other two masters.
Surrounding them, the Clouds of the three halls were deployed in all directions within the forest, quietly listening to the meeting.
No answer came.
Whoosh!
Instead, a fierce battle spirit swept in with the wind. Though the midnight air should have been chilly, a faint heat radiated from them. Knowing the objective of this mission, the momentum of the Clouds was exceptionally sharp. Their centers of gravity were subtly shifted forward, as if they were ready to charge out at that very instant.
Feeling their clear determination, Namgung Jun slowly clenched his fist.
"We enter Shanxi Province."
Simultaneously with his cold command, three flags that had been lying flat were raised high. They began to flutter violently in the waves of qi emanating from the Clouds.
* * *
"Huh?"
A bandit on guard duty scratched his head and frowned. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but they weren't.
A dust cloud billowing in the distance was gradually being dyed an azure hue. The deepening azure Qi Wave blew the dust away, revealing its pure, true color.
Soon, a group of people emerged. Every one of them wore indigo martial uniforms embroidered with three clouds.
The bandit, his eyes wide at the appearance of the intruders, slowly looked up. He could clearly see the flag held by a giant of a man at the front.
"Azure Firmament…? The Azure Firmament Hall!"
The bandit's panic lasted only a split second. He immediately turned toward the stronghold, gathering internal energy in his throat. His response was incredibly swift, a sign of his training.
Yet, he could not possibly be faster than an arrow imbued with the qi of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon.
Swish!
With a sharp whistle, an arrowhead pierced the bandit's throat and burst from the other side. The arrow, shot by Cheong-jong, had found its mark with perfect accuracy.
"Gack!"
As the bandit clutched his neck and collapsed with a thud, the Azure Firmament Hall kept charging, not even slowing as the log palisade loomed before them. They ran straight up the vertical wooden wall and leaped over, landing inside the stronghold in an instant.
"Huh? Look over there!"
"Those bastards are...!"
By the time the bandits inside reacted, the qi of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon was already blanketing the area. The sight of the hall members scattering while shrouded in azure qi was like a blue storm sweeping through.
Bandits resisted from all sides, but none were a match for the Azure Firmament Hall. Far from trading blows, most collapsed without withstanding even a single strike.
"Do you think we're just ordinary bandits?!"
"I'll chop you to pieces with my axe!"
Even as the bandits roared, the members of the Azure Firmament Hall silently thrust their weapons forward with expressionless faces. Unleashing a murderous offensive without a single change in expression, they exuded a crushing pressure. Under its suffocating weight, the bandits gradually shrank back, their courage consumed by fear.
"Annihilate them."
With that single command, Namgung Jun broke from the formation and penetrated deep into the stronghold. A few bandits bravely rushed to block him, but they couldn't even get close, let alone touch him. The axes they swung were too late, slicing uselessly through the qi that rose from him like a mist.
Crash!
Smashing through the entrance of a pavilion, Namgung Jun headed straight for the strongest presence he could sense inside.
As if he had already noticed the commotion, a middle-aged man holding a massive axe was waiting for him. The man scanned Namgung Jun from head to toe, then gave his axe a light swing.
"A celebrity has graced us with his presence. Azure Firmament Hall Master Namgung Jun."
"Jeonggun Fortress Master. Is that right?"
"You're an insolent bastard, aren't you?" the Jeonggun Fortress Master replied with a hollow laugh, lightly spinning his axe with one hand. "You look down on Jeonggun Fortress too much. Do you think we're the same as the trash you usually sweep away?"
"Are you any different?"
"I'll show you exactly how different we are!"
With his reply, the Jeonggun Fortress Master leaped high into the air and brought his axe crashing down.
Boom!
The axe, descending with enough force to split Namgung Jun's Baihui Acupoint, came to a sudden halt.
It was blocked by the Eternal Righteous Sword, which Namgung Jun had raised above his head before anyone realized.
This guy...?
A flicker of bewilderment crossed the Jeonggun Fortress Master's eyes. He knew Namgung Jun's reputation and had fully expected him to block the first strike. However, he had not anticipated such sheer composure.
Not only had Namgung Jun blocked it effortlessly with one hand, but his posture remained as upright and undisturbed as before, as if nothing had happened. Normally, one would grip their sword with both hands and lower their stance to absorb the force of such a blow.
Slide!
With a slight twist of his wrist, Namgung Jun's Eternal Righteous Sword drew an arc, sliding the axe blade aside. After pushing the axe away, the sword returned to its original position with natural grace. The entire sequence was so fluid it was as if the force and weight pressing down on his blade were nothing more than a feather.
The Jeonggun Fortress Master couldn't comprehend how his axe, which he gripped with all his might, had been pushed aside so helplessly. Involuntarily, his gaze drifted toward his weapon.
Seizing the split-second opening, a strike from the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique pierced straight through.
Slash!
Blood sprayed from the nape of the Jeonggun Fortress Master's neck as he instinctively jerked his head back. The cut was shallow and not fatal, but had he been a fraction of a second slower, his head would have been severed.
Horrified, the Jeonggun Fortress Master retreated, clutching his neck. Drops of blood pattered onto the floor, following his frantic footsteps.
"Are you flustered?"
The Jeonggun Fortress Master couldn't reply. He could only glare at Namgung Jun with trembling eyes.
Namgung Jun slowly approached, his sword held low.
"This outcome is only natural."
"What are you talking about?!"
"Did you think we would be equals just because we are both supreme experts? The realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown is truly vast."
Meeting Namgung Jun's calm, sunken eyes, the Jeonggun Fortress Master realized this wasn't a cheap provocation. Namgung Jun truly believed what he was saying.
"You miserable bastard!"
His face flushed red, the Jeonggun Fortress Master abandoned any attempt to stop the bleeding and charged.
Whoosh!
Generating a massive vortex, his axe began to vibrate violently.
Focused-Force Axe Method.
Great Mountain-Severing Assault.
The Jeonggun Fortress Master unleashed his ultimate technique without hesitation. Shrouded in dense qi, the axe seemed to double in size.
Rumble!
Splitting the floor as it advanced, the axe blade soared upward, carrying enough momentum to cleave Namgung Jun in two from bottom to top.
Even in the face of this ultimate technique, Namgung Jun's expression didn't change. He simply swung down the sword he had held in a mid-level guard.
Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.
Heavenly Yang.
The ultimate technique of the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique, inherited from Lee Se-ha at Chaohu Lake.
Crash!
With an ear-splitting roar, the axe shattered into pieces.
The Jeonggun Fortress Master stared in disbelief at his weapon, which had been destroyed without withstanding a single blow. Even after crushing the Great Mountain-Severing Assault, the Eternal Righteous Sword, still brimming with power, surged directly toward the space between his brows.
No...
It was too fast.
Ever since he had reached the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown, most attacks had appeared slow to him, or at least slow enough to react to. This was thanks to the Butterfly Metamorphosis of Mystic Time, an ability he had gained upon achieving the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
But even now, drawing upon the full power of the Butterfly Metamorphosis of Mystic Time, he could not track Namgung Jun's sword.
Crack!
The moment the strike of Heavenly Yang connected, the Jeonggun Fortress Master's head burst like a watermelon.
Boom!
The residual force of the technique demolished the wall behind him and brought the roof crashing down. The collapsing pavilion buried the Jeonggun Fortress Master's corpse beneath the rubble.
Flicking the blood from his blade without a hint of attachment, Namgung Jun turned around.
Whoosh! Rumble!
Stepping outside, he saw the battle was still in full swing. As expected of one of the Great-Axe Green Forest's most prominent strongholds, the resistance was fierce. The individual martial prowess of the bandits was high, and they even knew how to use Joint Attack Formations. Though they were bandits, it was obvious they had been systematically trained in martial arts—likely a result of the reforms implemented by the Heaven-Treading Axe Emperor.
Yet, even that was not enough.
They were merely buying time with their sheer numbers; they could not stop the Azure Firmament Hall.
About fifteen minutes after Namgung Jun started watching, not a single living bandit remained inside Jeonggun Fortress.
"Are there any survivors?"
"None."
Hearing Gong Jun-am's report, Namgung Jun glanced at Samyeop. Unlike his usual self, Samyeop's face was completely stiff. His feet, in particular, were stained an exceptionally deep red. While slightly worried about Samyeop's state, Namgung Jun was relieved to see Jang Mun-hyeok and Baekri Cheong flanking him.
After a quiet, knowing glance with Jang Mun-hyeok and Baekri Cheong, Namgung Jun turned his back.
"Burn the stronghold. We head north."
Having demolished Jeonggun Fortress in just an hour, the Azure Firmament Hall immediately began moving north.