Chapter 59: Journeying Through the Jianghu (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: Journeying Through the Jianghu (2)
Shangqiu, Henan Province.
Although Shangqiu was tucked away in a corner of Henan Province, it boasted the geographical advantage of bordering both Anhui and Shandong. Thanks to this, a steady, if modest, stream of merchants and their caravans passed through the area.
Even so, it was far from a bustling metropolis, and most days passed quietly without incident.
Lately, however, things had been different. An unorthodox sect called the Jeongyeong Gang had been stirring up trouble in Shangqiu. Originally a minor, insignificant group, they had recently undergone a sudden, massive transformation. The martial arts of their leader and his followers had skyrocketed.
Rumors circulated that the Jeongyeong Gang had acquired a new martial art, but nothing had been confirmed. The only undeniable fact was that the Jeongyeong Gang had grown so strong that even the Suseong Sect could no longer look down on them.
“Whew. What a headache.”
The Suseong Sect Leader let out a deep sigh as he brooded over the Jeongyeong Gang’s tyranny. Just then—
“Sect Leader! Thugs from the unorthodox path are rioting at the Seohyeong Inn! There are swarms of them—the scale is unusual!”
“Not a single day goes by in peace. Have you dispatched the disciples?”
“Yes, they should be arriving any moment now.”
The Suseong Sect Leader’s sigh grew even heavier. The Seohyeong Inn was an asset under the Suseong Sect’s protection.
Not content with monopolizing nearly all of the few lucrative businesses in Shangqiu, the Jeongyeong Gang was now coveting the Suseong Sect’s assets as well. The thugs currently causing trouble were undoubtedly acting on the orders of the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.
If this continued, the Suseong Sect would have its assets stripped away one by one until they withered to nothing. He had to make a decision, one way or another.
But an open conflict is…
The Suseong Sect Leader shook his head as he recalled his recent encounter with the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.
He was definitely a step below me in the past. How did this happen?
The tables had turned.
Although he couldn't gauge the exact level of the other man's martial arts, it was clear that the Jeongyeong Gang Leader was now stronger than him. Furthermore, considering the sheer number of Jeongyeong Gang disciples, he had no confidence they could win.
Crash!
At the thunderous roar from outside, the Suseong Sect Leader sprang to his feet and rushed out. The first sight that greeted him was their main gate, completely shattered.
Jeongyeong Gang members were stepping over the splintered debris, crossing the threshold into the Suseong Sect’s grounds.
“It’s the Jeongyeong Gang!”
“Damn it, of all times!”
“Blast it. It'll take time for the disciples who went to the Seohyeong Inn to return.”
Watching his panicked disciples, a sudden, chilling realization struck the Suseong Sect Leader.
Could it be? Was the riot at the Seohyeong Inn just a distraction to target our headquarters?!
The timing of the Jeongyeong Gang’s arrival was far too perfect. Although the Suseong Sect disciples rushed out, they were severely outnumbered by the flood of enemies pouring through the main gate.
“Jeongyeong Gang Leader! What is the meaning of this?!”
Despite the Suseong Sect Leader’s urgent shout, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader remained completely unfazed. He merely scanned the courtyard with an expressionless face.
“Did I not give you a polite warning? Either submit to the Jeongyeong Gang or leave Shangqiu.”
“Our sect has been rooted in Shangqiu for three generations! Don’t speak such nonsense!”
“Then there is nothing to be done. How much profit can this tiny piece of land even generate that two sects should have to split it?”
Unlike the tense Suseong Sect Leader, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader’s smile was dripping with relaxed confidence. The martial prowess of the leaders, the sheer number of disciples—he had personally confirmed that the Jeongyeong Gang held the upper hand in every single aspect.
Seeing no further reason to talk, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader gave the order without hesitation.
“Wipe them out!”
At their leader’s roar, the Jeongyeong Gang disciples unsheathed their blades.
“Do not be afraid! Until recently, they were nothing more than common street thugs!”
There was no lie in the Suseong Sect Leader’s words. In the process of absorbing Shangqiu’s underworld, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader had recruited from the back alleys. Most of those who had invaded the Suseong Sect were indeed former thugs.
“Waaaaah!”
“Show them the power of properly learned martial arts!”
Thus, the Suseong Sect disciples charged forward without hesitation, confident that even if they were outnumbered, their individual martial prowess was superior.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
However, the moment the loud clash of steel erupted, the atmosphere within the Suseong Sect shifted drastically. The Jeongyeong Gang disciples were far stronger than expected.
“Urgh! You bastards!”
“How did they get so fast…?”
The Suseong Sect’s initial momentum was instantly broken. Soon, the Jeongyeong Gang began to overwhelm them.
That was not all.
These bastards… they’re using martial arts I’ve never seen before. Were the rumors true?!
The Suseong Sect Leader’s jaw dropped as he watched the techniques displayed by the Jeongyeong Gang disciples. Although he couldn’t identify the exact style, it was certainly not some cheap martial art one could buy for a few coins in the market.
“Oh no!”
Even as his sect was being helplessly pushed back, the Suseong Sect Leader could not step in to help. Three of the gang’s experts had already blocked his path.
“Get out of my way!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Haaah!”
Although the Suseong Sect Leader had reached the First-Rate realm, he could not easily overcome the coordinated attack of three opponents. With one First-Rate and two Second-Rate experts facing him, he had to focus all his energy just on defending himself.
It was then that a powerful voice pierced the chaotic din of clashing metal.
“This is certainly not a martial art that belongs in a third-rate unorthodox sect.”
“It feels like the spear techniques of the Venerable Spear Sect, slightly modified for swords and sabers.”
Before anyone realized it, two outsiders had appeared in the courtyard. They wore neat martial uniforms embroidered with white clouds.
Only two people had arrived, yet the entire atmosphere of the courtyard shifted instantly.
The first to react was the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.
“The Azure Heaven Association!”
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong did not deign to reply. They simply stepped forward and drew their swords, then moved in different directions.
Clang!
Baekri Cheong moved to aid the struggling Suseong Sect disciples, while Namgung Jun plunged straight into the heart of the Jeongyeong Gang’s formation.
Crack!
Boom!
The sounds of impact echoed from both sides simultaneously. The sword styles of the two men were entirely different.
Baekri Cheong blocked every strike from the Jeongyeong Gang members with a solid, flawless sword defense. On the other hand, Namgung Jun cut down the rushing gang members with a flurry of loud, endlessly multiplying sword strikes.
While Baekri Cheong held his ground to protect the Suseong Sect disciples, Namgung Jun had no need for such restraint.
“Keu-heok!”
“What is this?! This brat…!”
“Help me!”
Namgung Jun’s steps never faltered. His sword moved incessantly, spitting out dozens of sword shadows. Fresh blood splattered along the path he walked. There was no mercy in his blade when dealing with the unorthodox sect. Instead, a fierce, razor-sharp energy erupted from him, sharpening the very air.
The momentum of the Jeongyeong Gang, who had been gleefully overwhelming the Suseong Sect, was instantly crushed.
Thud!
Executing an Earth-Trembling Stomp as he advanced, Namgung Jun charged in a straight line toward the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.
This is no place for me!
Watching the movements of the two swordsmen—especially the fierce sword strikes of Namgung Jun, who was rapidly closing the distance—the Jeongyeong Gang Leader swallowed hard.
“Retreat!”
His judgment was swift. As their leader was the first to pull back, the fighting gang members also hurriedly turned tail and fled.
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong did not bother to pursue. After all, they already knew exactly where the Jeongyeong Gang was located.
Having settled the situation, the two swordsmen bowed politely to the Suseong Sect Leader.
“I am Namgung Jun, a Second Cloud of the Azure Heaven Association.”
“I am Baekri Cheong, a Second Cloud of the Azure Heaven Association.”
The Suseong Sect Leader bowed his head with a dazed expression.
“Thanks to the help of you two young heroes, we have escaped a great crisis!”
After returning the courtesy, the Suseong Sect Leader asked cautiously, “May I ask what brings you to our humble sect?”
“We confirmed that the situation in Shangqiu was taking an unusual turn, so we came to investigate personally,” Namgung Jun explained.
“Ah. Please, let us head inside first.”
Once inside the main hall, the two swordsmen explained the situation in detail.
“According to our association’s intelligence, one of the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers is backing the Jeongyeong Gang.”
“The Eight Great Unorthodox Powers!”
The Suseong Sect Leader’s eyes widened. It was a name he never expected to hear. As the shocked sect leader stood speechless, Namgung Jun calmly continued.
“You must be familiar with the Venerable Spear Sect, one of the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers.”
“Of course.”
The Venerable Spear Sect. A major unorthodox sect in Shandong Province, where every single martial artist wielded a spear.
“The Venerable Spear Sect has put the Jeongyeong Gang forward as a front to expand their influence into Henan Province.”
“I see… But is there something so important in Shangqiu? Is there a reason for one of the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers to make such a move?”
Namgung Jun shook his head.
“To be precise, they seem to be using Shangqiu as a foothold to target the vast agricultural lands of the Henan plains.”
Hearing the Venerable Spear Sect’s plan, the Suseong Sect Leader’s expression stiffened.
If it’s the agricultural lands of the Henan plains, that makes sense.
The reason they didn't step forward directly and instead manipulated the Jeongyeong Gang was likely to avoid drawing the attention of the Shaolin Temple. If the words of these heroes from the Azure Heaven Association were true, the Venerable Spear Sect would stop at nothing to seize Shangqiu.
“What should I do?”
“For now, we will assist you. Afterward, it would be best to request aid from the Shaolin Temple.”
“Hmm. I shall do as you suggest.”
As if guessing the Suseong Sect Leader’s anxiety, Namgung Jun added, “The Azure Heaven Association will have an opportunity to contact the Shaolin Temple separately, so we will convey this matter to them as well.”
“Ah, if you could do that, I would be deeply grateful, young hero.”
Only after hearing Namgung Jun’s reassurance did the Suseong Sect Leader bow with a relieved expression.
Thus, Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong were given rooms in the guest house prepared by the Suseong Sect Leader.
“Young Master Baekri. Your demeanor seemed a bit different today,” Namgung Jun remarked.
“Is that so? I suppose it was obvious enough for you to notice.”
“Yes. Is there a reason?”
After a moment of thought, Baekri Cheong replied, “Having experienced the extermination of my own clan, this doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem.”
He gazed out the window, taking in the view of the Suseong Sect. Had the two of them not arrived in time today, the sect might have faced total annihilation.
“I find myself empathizing with them. I want to protect whatever places I can.”
Namgung Jun fell silent.
Though he didn’t show it, he had also suffered the pain of his clan’s destruction. This was clear from the way his fallen disciples still lingered in his mindscape.
Clan extermination.
Namgung Jun gripped the hilt of his sword. Baekri Cheong was right.
Since he had joined the Azure Heaven Association, he had to prevent others from suffering the same tragedy, even if their opponent was not the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
For he was living this life not merely for revenge, but to walk his own martial path of chivalry and righteousness.
“You are right, Young Master Baekri. Even if it is not our official mission, it is only right to help if we have the strength to do so.”
*
“Sigh. So you were defeated and crawled back here in the end?”
The old man sitting in the highest seat of the Jeongyeong Gang clicked his tongue.
“If I were to step in personally, I could wipe out a pathetic sect like that all by myself. Do you know why I haven’t?”
“Because we must prevent your name, Senior, from spreading through the Jianghu,” the Jeongyeong Gang Leader answered.
“You knew that, yet you handled things so miserably?”
At the old man’s furious roar, the Jeongyeong Gang members fell silent. Glaring at them with eyes shimmering with murderous intent, the old man stood up as if he had made up his mind.
“Originally, I intended to merely drive out the Suseong Sect to avoid making a scene.”
The old man toyed with the spear resting beside him.
“But this won’t do. Since even the Azure Heaven Association has caught wind of this, we must wrap things up quickly. We will exterminate the Suseong Sect.”
“Does that mean…!”
“Yes. We leave no witnesses. That way, no one will ever suspect my identity.”
The old man waved his hand. The ten martial artists waiting around him rose to their feet. They were the spearmen he had personally brought from the Venerable Spear Sect.
“Gather every single martial artist in the Jeongyeong Gang. We will march now, burn the Suseong Sect to the ground, and ensure not a single soul survives.”
“Yes, Senior.”
Following the command of the spear-wielding old man, the Jeongyeong Gang began to mobilize.