Chapter 45: Severed Meridian (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Severed Meridian (4)
Lee Se-ha looked ready to draw her sword at any moment.
Startled, the middle-aged man spoke in a hurry.
“Stop! The Second Young Master wishes for this matter to be resolved as amicably as possible.”
“And you expect me to believe that, now of all times?”
“You’ve also traveled here without any rest, haven’t you? Even if we must fight, it would be better to hear our proposal before we clash.”
Lee Se-ha’s gaze shifted slightly, glancing back at her companions.
Namgung Jun’s eyes still gleamed with a cold light, but the Tang siblings looked utterly exhausted. In truth, it was a feat in itself that they had managed to keep up with the forced march without falling behind.
I don’t know when Lady Tang’s condition might flare up again.
She had heard that when the body was overworked and one’s strength was depleted, seizures from the severed meridian were more likely to occur. If an attack happened mid-battle, it would be incredibly difficult to handle.
In this situation, a head-on clash with the Second Young Master’s forces was something to be avoided.
By now…
Lee Se-ha looked up to check the position of the sun, then gave a firm nod.
“Lead the way.”
“This way.”
As they walked deeper into the ferry dock, they saw martial artists of the Martial Strike Sect stationed everywhere. Seeing them openly blocking every path, Tang Bo-seon’s expression gradually darkened.
If a fight broke out here, escaping would be difficult. It was like walking straight into a net.
Turning back to hijack a boat at the dock didn’t seem like a viable option either.
Tang Bo-seon subtly hid his right hand inside his green sleeve, his fingers brushing against his hidden weapons and poisons, ready to unleash them at a moment’s notice.
“I fear we are walking straight into the tiger’s den.”
“For starters, there are no supreme experts under the Second Young Master who can match me,” Lee Se-ha said.
Namgung Jun asked quietly, “Master, how can you be so sure?”
“They were all killed by the Eldest Young Master’s faction. The ones left are just small fry.”
Lee Se-ha spoke freely, not caring that the middle-aged man could hear her, all while keeping a watchful eye on the Martial Strike Sect’s members.
The middle-aged man leading them glared at Lee Se-ha. However, unable to say anything in response, he merely stomped his feet harder as he walked.
“And even if there’s a supreme expert we haven’t accounted for, don’t worry. I already have a plan.”
Namgung Jun wanted to ask what that plan was, but his head snapped forward as a distinct wave of qi spread from ahead.
The martial artists of the Martial Strike Sect were lined up in long rows on both sides. In the center sat a man, rhythmically clenching and unclenching his fists.
Every time his large fists opened, the dozens of scars crisscrossing his hands seemed to writhe.
Though he was still young, a single glance was enough to tell that he was a martial artist forged through countless battles.
Is that the Second Young Master of the Martial Strike Sect?
The Second Young Master’s lips curled into a smirk as his eyes took in Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun, who stood protectively before the Tang siblings.
“Helping a man and woman you’ve never even met. The so-called chivalrous heroes of the Azure Heaven Association are as meddlesome as ever. To think things would get tangled up like this.”
Sighing with an irritated expression, the Second Young Master leaned back in his chair.
He’s quite skilled.
The qi he exuded was heavy. It was obvious he hadn’t trained half-heartedly. In particular, his large, scar-covered fists were impressive.
Most rising stars would struggle to withstand more than five blows from those fists.
At the same time, a question arose in Namgung Jun’s mind.
It was clear that the Second Young Master was an outstanding talent. Just what kind of power did the Eldest Young Master possess to have crushed a man like this?
The Eight Great Unorthodox Powers. They are not to be underestimated.
Namgung Jun found himself growing interested in the Second Young Master.
If he were to face those large fists himself, he might catch a glimpse of the standard among the rising stars of the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers.
While Namgung Jun was observing the Second Young Master, the Second Young Master was observing Lee Se-ha.
His persistent gaze assessed how much stamina she had expended and whether she had sustained any injuries, internal or external.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned Black Cloud Wandering Maiden.”
Though his eyes gleamed like a wolf’s, the Second Young Master found no exploitable weakness and naturally shifted his focus.
Namgung Jun’s and the Second Young Master’s gazes clashed midair.
“And you must be the Azure Star Sword.”
Realizing the unfamiliar title referred to him, Namgung Jun mulled it over.
“Azure Star Sword?”
“Ah, you didn’t know? That’s what they’re calling you in Hefei. They say a blue star suddenly appeared and saved them.”
Despite the short time that had passed, the Second Young Master seemed to have already grasped the events in Hefei.
Unlike when he looked at Lee Se-ha, he now wore an expression of genuine curiosity.
“What on earth did you do? I’ve received no information yet, other than the fact that the Clear-Center Sect collapsed at your hands.”
“Jun, there’s no need to speak with him,” Lee Se-ha cut in flatly. “Just get to the point.”
When dealing with the unorthodox and demonic paths, she became a completely different person—fundamentally cold and blunt.
She looked ready to draw her sword at the slightest provocation. Perhaps this behavior was well-known in the Jianghu, as the Second Young Master didn’t lose his composure and continued speaking.
“If we clash head-on, both sides will suffer heavy losses. Let’s make a deal instead.”
When the Second Young Master nodded, a subordinate standing beside him opened a chest he was holding.
“Gold equivalent to the value of the Red Lotus Fire Ginseng, and medicinal herbs that can only be obtained in Zhejiang Province. They are all precious items helpful for illnesses related to yin energy.”
Tang Bo-seon, who had been listening quietly, gritted his teeth.
“Are you telling us to exchange the Red Lotus Fire Ginseng for that?”
“Isn’t it better than returning empty-handed? Or having your only sister get hurt?”
“Don’t talk nonsense! The Red Lotus Fire Ginseng is a precious spirit elixir that cannot be bought with mere wealth.”
“Is that so?”
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant. The Martial Strike Sect’s martial artists surrounding the ferry dock began to close in, slowly but surely.
The heavy, fierce qi characteristic of the Martial Strike Sect began to saturate the air.
“You look down on me too much just because my forces have weakened.”
The Second Young Master’s eyes locked onto Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun.
“The Black Cloud Wandering Maiden and the Azure Star Sword. Even if we cannot kill you two, we have more than enough power to tie you down. I wonder if you two siblings can hold out without the help of these heroes.”
As Namgung Jun saw it, there was no bluff in the Second Young Master’s words.
He hadn’t prepared this place relying solely on a deal. He had fully anticipated a physical clash.
Is it those five?
Five middle-aged men were gathered to one side. All of them were martial artists who had reached at least the maturity of the Peak Stage. One of them might have even reached the absolute limit of the Peak Stage.
If they launched a coordinated attack using a formation, they could easily tie down Lee Se-ha.
The same applied to him.
If a battle broke out, the safety of the Tang siblings would almost certainly be compromised.
I don’t know what plan Master has prepared, but…
At this rate, the Tang siblings would be injured, if not killed.
Step.
In the tense, touch-and-go moment right before a clash, Namgung Jun took a step forward.
Naturally, all eyes focused on him.
“Second Young Master. You are a poor merchant.”
“What?”
“If you were a true martial artist, you would have proposed a martial duel.”
Namgung Jun slowly drew his sword, holding it with the tip pointed downward.
“Step forward. We will have a martial duel, with the ownership of the Red Lotus Fire Ginseng on the line.”
The area fell silent.
Lee Se-ha, still looking ahead, allowed the corners of her mouth to curl up slightly, while the Tang siblings stared at Namgung Jun’s back with startled eyes.
Only after a beat did the Second Young Master ask, “A greenhorn who just earned his title is proposing a martial duel to me? You’re overflowing with confidence.”
The Second Young Master let out a cold laugh and shook his head.
“But I am in a foul mood because my deal was rejected. Is there any reason I should accept your duel?”
Namgung Jun nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
At his confident demeanor, the Second Young Master’s expression turned curious.
“And what is that?”
“You must not have heard me clearly. I proposed a martial duel, not a duel to the death.”
“And what of it?”
Beneath Namgung Jun’s slightly lowered eyelids, a vivid blue Thunder Qi writhed.
“It means you get to live.”
The Second Young Master burst into laughter—a sneer mixed with anger and sheer disbelief.
He’s saying he would have killed me if we clashed? How arrogant for a mere brat.
Even while glaring at Namgung Jun, the Second Young Master calmly and meticulously circulated his senses.
He scanned Namgung Jun’s aura several times but found nothing threatening.
He’s just slightly more outstanding than his peers.
The Second Young Master was puzzled.
Where did this boy get his confidence? He wasn’t even twenty yet, still green and immature. Or was this just the foolish bravado of a young disciple acting up because he trusted the master beside him?
If I win the martial duel, it will be the best possible outcome.
He could obtain the Red Lotus Fire Ginseng and, at the same time, gain both honor and practical benefit by defeating a rising star of the Azure Heaven Association.
If he could do that, he would be able to restore his diminished standing.
The Second Young Master glanced subtly at Lee Se-ha.
From the looks of it, she had no intention of interfering.
Sweeping his senses over Namgung Jun’s aura one last time, the Second Young Master stood up.
“Very well. Let us settle this cleanly with a martial duel.”
The martial duel between Namgung Jun and the Second Young Master commenced immediately.
* * *
“The Clear-Center Sect has sealed its gates?”
“Yes. And the Azure Heaven Association has rebuilt its Hefei Branch.”
“The Azure Heaven Association filled the void left by the Clear-Center Sect, as naturally as flowing water.”
Veins bulged on the back of the hand of the middle-aged man listening to the report—the Sword-Wailing Demon.
Splat!
The head of the man held in the Sword-Wailing Demon’s grip burst like a watermelon. Fresh blood and bits of flesh dripped between his fingers.
Looking at the headless corpse, the Sword-Wailing Demon clicked his tongue as if it were a waste.
“And here I was, about to enjoy absorbing his energy…”
“My apologies.”
Behind the sighing Sword-Wailing Demon, the ground was littered with corpses. All of them looked like withered trees, resembling mummies.
The Bright Gaze Devouring Art.
These were the victims of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult’s Star-Absorbing Great Art.
“Things have truly gone awry. Our plan to secretly draw the Clear-Center Sect into our cult has gone to waste.”
At the Sword-Wailing Demon’s muttering, his subordinate spoke up in a hurry.
“The one responsible is a man called the Azure Star Sword of the Azure Heaven Association, but there is something you must verify.”
“What is it?”
“We suspect he is the boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian whom our cult lost to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master.”
At the subordinate’s report, the Sword-Wailing Demon’s hand froze.
“The unique constitution that the Cult Leader personally ordered us to find?”
“Yes, sir.”
The subordinate presented a pre-prepared report to the Sword-Wailing Demon.
“The disciple of the Heavenly Sword Hall Master who has mastered the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula. An appearance highly similar to the wanted poster. A new Cloud Rank recruit with only two clouds.”
As the Sword-Wailing Demon summarized the report’s contents, the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward.
“Perhaps we might catch a big fish.”
“It will be a massive achievement.”
“A massive achievement? It is far more than that. Perhaps I might even rise to become the fourteenth Bright Mirror Master.”
Seeing that the Sword-Wailing Demon’s mood had improved, the subordinate let out an inward sigh of relief.
“The Moon-Defying Blade Demon… that pathetic old man has fallen out of the running on his own. With one less competitor, to think we would discover the lost Nine Yin Severed Meridian.”
The Sword-Wailing Demon stared at his subordinate with burning eyes.
“The Azure Star Sword, was it? Gather all information related to that bastard. And make sure to manage the intelligence carefully so that other factions do not find out.”
“Of course, sir.”
At the Sword-Wailing Demon’s command, the subordinate immediately vanished into the shadows.