Chapter 58: Journeying Through the Jianghu (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58: Journeying Through the Jianghu (1)
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong left the main castle side by side, setting out to attend the gathering. However, they were not traveling straight to Mount Song.
They had another mission to handle in a region they would pass through along the way. With the Azure Heaven Association constantly short-handed, it was common to be assigned two missions at once—a system where minor tasks were bundled with the primary objective.
"The sun is already setting," Baekri Cheong noted.
"I see an inn over there. Let's stay the night."
Namgung Jun readily nodded in agreement.
The inn was quite crowded, and most of the patrons appeared to be martial artists. As the two entered, every eye in the place instantly locked onto them. The stares were sticky and unpleasant, far from friendly.
Ignoring the unwelcome attention, the two rising stars found an empty table and sat down as if they owned the place.
"Little brother," Baekri Cheong began, "it might be a bit late to say this, but it's an honor to be on a mission with you."
"The honor is mine," Namgung Jun replied.
A smile played on both swordsmen's lips as they looked at each other. They had already crossed swords in two duels, sharing a deep conversation through their blades. Though they hadn't exchanged many words, martial artists often spoke more with their steel than their tongues. There was no awkwardness between them; they felt like friends who had known each other for years.
"How is the atmosphere in the Heavenly Sword Hall?" Baekri Cheong asked.
"It's good. As the youngest, I feel well looked after."
"If a rookie as outstanding as you joined my hall, I'd do the same."
Namgung Jun smiled faintly. "Wasn't it the same for you, Young Hero Baekri?"
"Of course, I received a warm welcome too. Though in my case, I had to fight three duels the moment I arrived."
"The Martial Conquest Hall must have been desperate for new recruits."
"Indeed. The Azure Heaven Association is always short-handed, especially when it comes to promising newcomers."
A middle-aged man sitting at a nearby table suddenly cut into their conversation.
"Do you know why the Azure Heaven Association is so short-handed?"
Neither Namgung Jun nor Baekri Cheong replied, but the man continued, undeterred.
"Part of it is because the Azure Heaven Association loves to make a big deal out of nothing, but either way, there are plenty of people who find them an eyesore."
The man sneered, his gaze falling on the cloud embroidery on their sleeves.
"The Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers, and even some sects in the Righteous Faction… plenty of people look down on the Azure Heaven Association. Poking your noses into everyone's business under the guise of chivalry… how pathetic."
Baekri Cheong's eyes turned cold. "It seems you harbor a deep grudge against the Azure Heaven Association, senior."
"A grudge? Of course I do. Three of my sworn brothers were killed by the Iron Tower Hall Master."
A thick murderous intent began to seep from the middle-aged man's eyes.
Yet, Namgung Jun asked nonchalantly, "Young Hero Baekri, do you know who he is?"
"Judging by his mention of three brothers and his appearance, he must be the eldest of the Four Fiends of Daeil."
"The Four Fiends of Daeil."
"They were four villains who committed all sorts of heinous atrocities. Three of them had their skulls crushed by the Iron Tower Hall Master. Their eldest brother was the only one who managed to escape."
After hearing Baekri Cheong's explanation, the middle-aged man burst into a hearty laugh.
"That's right. I am the eldest of the Four Fiends of Daeil, the Red Death Spirit."
As the Red Death Spirit revealed his identity, several men scattered around the inn stood up. They were the same ones who had been staring so intently when the two swordsmen first entered. Though not numerous, they had positioned themselves to block every exit.
Setting down his teacup, Baekri Cheong looked at the Red Death Spirit. "What a coincidence. Were you waiting for us?"
"How could I have known you'd pass through here? This is merely a coincidence." The Red Death Spirit drew the saber from his waist. "Blame your bad luck. Bad luck for being members of the Azure Heaven Association, and bad luck for being mere greenhorns of the Second Cloud."
A sinister wave of energy erupted from his body. Judging by its murky color and violent fluctuations, he was undeniably a master at the absolute pinnacle of the Peak Realm.
He was clearly a superior opponent, but Baekri Cheong spoke calmly, showing no signs of intimidation. "Judging by that smug look, I suppose you'd have just let us pass if we were Third Cloud?"
Beside him, Namgung Jun, who was calmly eating his noodles, was no different. "You're just a coward who only draws his blade against those you think are weaker."
The Red Death Spirit let out a hollow laugh at their relaxed demeanor. "You arrogant brats still don't grasp the situation! Attack!"
The moment his subordinates drew their weapons at his command—
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong moved first.
It was as if they shared the same mind. Without exchanging a single word, the two swordsmen moved in perfect unison, lunging directly toward the Red Death Spirit.
No need to play by their rhythm.
If we take the Red Death Spirit's head first, the rest will fall apart.
Namgung Jun took the left, Baekri Cheong the right. As they drew their swords and unleashed a barrage of strikes, a faint smile touched both of their lips, a silent acknowledgment of their perfect synergy.
"You shameless brats!"
Glaring fiercely, the Red Death Spirit deflected the incoming swords, which flew at him from entirely different trajectories, one after another.
To think they would charge in so recklessly!
Normally, anyone would be flustered by such a sudden turn of events. Yet, the rising stars before him showed no such hesitation. Instead, they made a split-second decision and reacted like seasoned masters.
The Red Death Spirit violently parried Namgung Jun's sword as it aimed for his head.
Clang!
"Ugh!"
Having swung his saber with great force, the Red Death Spirit's shoulders trembled. The unexpected weight behind the Sword Force threw him off balance. It felt as if he had just blocked a desperate, full-power strike from an equal.
As he faltered, Baekri Cheong's thrust precisely exploited the opening. The Red Death Spirit hastily tilted his saber to block.
Baekri Cheong was relentless. He slipped into the opening Namgung Jun had created and pressed his advantage even more aggressively. Though they had gained a momentary upper hand, they knew the Red Death Spirit was a superior master. They unleashed their ultimate techniques without hesitation.
Forced back three steps, the Red Death Spirit grimaced. The two rising stars closed the distance, giving him no time to catch his breath.
How dare these brats!
Worse, their coordination was flawless, as if they had practiced together for years. The Red Death Spirit's breathing grew ragged, and his movements grew frantic.
"Hurry and help Big Brother!" one of his men shouted.
"But there's no opening to intervene!"
The Red Death Spirit's subordinates could only watch hesitantly, their eyes filled with bewilderment. Because the two swordsmen stuck so close to their target, the underlings, whose skills were far inferior, couldn't find a way to join the fray.
While Baekri Cheong demonstrated a textbook, stable swordsmanship, Namgung Jun created dazzling variations from the flank, disorienting their opponent.
Illusion swords and variable swords are the complete opposite of the Baekseon Sword Technique. It will be that much harder for him to handle.
Namgung Jun's judgment was spot on. The exquisitely woven sequence of their joint attacks threw the Red Death Spirit into confusion. It was all the more frustrating because his opponents were mere youths.
These bastards. Their skills are far beyond what the two clouds on their sleeves suggest. Especially…
The Red Death Spirit's gaze locked onto Namgung Jun. Initially, he had been more wary of the older Baekri Cheong, but after five clashes, he realized his mistake.
How can a mere greenhorn wield a blade like this?
He could tell. Beyond simply coordinating their attacks, Namgung Jun was brilliantly controlling the flow of the battle, even finding the leeway to intercept attacks aimed at Baekri Cheong.
Beyond shock, the Red Death Spirit began to feel a creeping dread. This was a youth not even twenty years of age. If he gained more experience, what kind of swordsman would he become? The question arose naturally in the face of Namgung Jun's talent.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
Thud!
Executing an Earth-Trembling Stomp, the Red Death Spirit poured out his internal energy without reservation, unleashing his ultimate technique. Vermilion saber strikes tore through the inn's floor, splitting it apart as they swept in all directions, but they failed to pose a real threat.
"Little brother."
"I know."
The two swords slashed in perfect harmony, as if wielded by a single person. Baekri Cheong suppressed the saber strikes aiming for their vitals from the front, while Namgung Jun completely disrupted the Red Death Spirit's attack patterns with countless variations of his illusion and variable swords.
In the midst of the clash, both Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong found themselves admiring each other. This was something impossible to achieve through mere coordination; it required a deep understanding of each other's martial arts.
To think we're in such perfect harmony. He's seeing the exact same thing I am. As expected of my little brother.
Magnificent. His skills have risen to this level before I even realized it.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Red Death Spirit's ultimate technique was completely shattered by their two swords. Bearing the brunt of the aftermath, Baekri Cheong shouted through a cold sweat, "Little brother!"
Namgung Jun had already lunged forward half a breath before Baekri Cheong even spoke. Executing the Heaven-Pillar Resolute Advance Movement Art, he charged straight ahead as countless flashes of deep blue light erupted from his sword.
Slash!
A strangely twisted blue sword strike sliced across the Red Death Spirit's shoulder. Blood sprayed with a searing pain. It was a deep wound; if the fight dragged on, the blood loss alone would be fatal.
The Red Death Spirit shouted in desperation, "What are you all just standing there for?!"
Despite his roar, his subordinates still couldn't intervene. A violent, surging sword wind whipped up from Namgung Jun's blade. He was using the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique like a protective barrier, leaving them with no way through. They could only stomp their feet in frustration.
"You little brat and your cheap tricks!"
Thud!
Executing another Earth-Trembling Stomp, the Red Death Spirit unleashed a powerful strike that forced Baekri Cheong back. Twisting his waist violently, he drove his saber down toward Namgung Jun's shoulder. His goal was to kill Namgung Jun, or at least inflict a fatal wound, before Baekri Cheong could close the distance again. It was a desperate strike for survival, not victory. His eyes, bloodshot with murderous intent, seemed to prove it.
Even so, Namgung Jun did not falter.
The angle of his raised arm shifted. His grip on the hilt changed. His sword, which had been unleashing countless variations, suddenly rose diagonally from a low stance and transformed into a streak of blue light. It was a bold transition from illusion sword to swift sword.
Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders.
Twelfth Form: Eternal Lightning Smite.
Bending and twisting as it soared upward, the sword strike tore through the air.
Spurt!
The Red Death Spirit retreated a step, but he couldn't avoid his chest being slashed open. Just as his flesh split and his shirt was dyed crimson—
Thrust!
A blade pierced through his back, protruding from his chest. Baekri Cheong had driven his sword through him from behind.
"To think... by such greenhorns...!"
The Red Death Spirit never finished his sentence. Twisting his sword, Namgung Jun took his head in a single, unhesitating movement.
"Ah!"
"Big Brother died so easily?"
As the decapitated Red Death Spirit collapsed, his subordinates cried out in horror.
Exchanging a brief glance, the two swordsmen leaped in opposite directions. With the Red Death Spirit dead, all that remained was to clean up the trash. The men who had surrounded them moments ago were now the ones fleeing for their lives.
But the two swordsmen let no one escape.
One strike, one kill.
Compared to the Red Death Spirit, the subordinates' skills were negligible. They were nothing more than extra bodies.
"Little brother, did any get away?"
"None."
Having dealt with the remnants, the two swordsmen compensated the innkeeper for the damages and stepped outside.
"I know all sorts of things happen at inns," Baekri Cheong said, "but I didn't expect to be attacked simply for being members of the Azure Heaven Association."
"Indeed. It clearly shows how those of the Demonic and Unorthodox Paths view the Association. The same likely goes for some of the hypocrites within the Righteous Faction."
Namgung Jun nodded. "Which is why this gathering feels even more important now."
"Exactly. If we can secure the cooperation of the great sects throughout the Jianghu, it will be an immense help."
Having easily handled the sudden ambush, the two swordsmen immediately headed east. Soon, they would reach the border of Henan Province.