Chapter 61: Journeying Through the Jianghu (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 61: Journeying Through the Jianghu (4)
Even in the dead of night, the sharp clash of steel and agonizing screams raged on within the Suseong Sect.
The Jeongyeong Sect had launched a night raid.
Determined not to fail, they seemed to have mobilized every last one of their available forces.
‘There are more of them than I saw during the day.’
Moreover, they hadn't just brought members of the Jeongyeong Gang; they had brought all the underworld thugs under their command as well.
Watching the endless stream of enemies scaling the walls, Baekri Cheong scanned his surroundings.
The disciples of the Suseong Sect, who had rushed out in their nightclothes, grew increasingly pale. Even in the darkness, they could instinctively tell they were vastly outnumbered.
‘The Suseong Sect’s morale can’t be allowed to break.’
To prevent that, he had to display overwhelming martial prowess on the front lines. Only then would their fighting spirit stay lit and burn fiercely.
With his mind made up, Baekri Cheong took a long stride forward.
His sword lashed out, cutting down every member of the Jeongyeong Gang who charged him.
Though there were many martial artists within the Suseong Sect, Baekri Cheong’s skill was in a class of its own. His clean yet devastating sword strikes had the power to turn the tide of battle.
“That guy is from the Azure Heaven Association, too.”
“I can tell without you pointing it out. His aura is completely different.”
The Jeongyeong Gang Leader, who had led his subordinates in through the main gate, pointed a finger at Baekri Cheong.
The spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect who entered alongside him paid no attention to the Suseong Sect disciples. They focused solely on Baekri Cheong, watching his every move.
As expected of martial artists from a great sect belonging to the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers, they recognized him immediately.
“A cool, pristine aura. And that striking, handsome face.”
“There’s no doubt. He’s the Eldest Young Master of the annihilated Baekri Clan.”
“Isn’t this an unexpected prize? His head is worth far more than the Suseong Sect Leader’s.”
Slash!
Hearing the spearmen’s conversation, a faint smile touched Baekri Cheong’s lips. It was a calm, leisurely smile.
“You sound confident. Have you never witnessed my family’s sword technique?”
“Why would we bother with the martial arts of a ruined clan?”
Baekri Cheong approached the spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect without hesitation. Seeing this, the sneers on their faces deepened.
“You dare attack us alone?”
“Deploy the formation!”
The spearmen moved in perfect unison. Instantly, the Qi Waves from the ten men intertwined, swelling in size.
It was the prelude to deploying a spear formation.
Despite the undeniable pressure, Baekri Cheong immediately accelerated. His opponents wielded spears; he had to close the distance to secure an advantageous range for his sword.
‘This won’t be over quickly. I hope Little Brother Namgung is holding up on his own.’
Clang!
As the formation rotated, five spear thrusts surged forward in sequence. With their Qi Waves bound as one by the formation’s profound principles, the destructive power was extraordinary.
Baekri Cheong slashed his sword up and down, blocking the thrusts aimed at his vitals.
‘It seems Little Brother Namgung is dealing with the expert leading these bastards.’
Expanding his senses with Qi while fending off the spearmen, Baekri Cheong checked on the situation outside. Namgung Jun's opponent seemed to be, at the very least, at the absolute pinnacle of the Peak Realm. No matter how talented the boy was, facing such a foe alone would be overwhelming.
He had to help him, and quickly.
However, the situation here was far from easy.
In front of him was the spear formation of the Venerable Spear Sect.
Behind him, the Jeongyeong Gang was pressing hard against the Suseong Sect.
He couldn't afford to ignore either side.
Suppressing his rising anxiety, Baekri Cheong tightened his grip on his sword.
‘I must end this as quickly as possible.’
Whoosh!
Pure white Sword Qi flared from Baekri Cheong's blade like wings.
*
Slash!
Wreathed in pure white Sword Qi, Baekri Cheong's blade cut freely through the darkness. In rapid succession, he severed two spears thrusting toward his abdomen and thigh.
It was a domineering strike, infused with the profound principles of the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula.
“How can this be?”
“The formation’s Qi Wave was protecting us! How did he…?!”
The spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect stared at Baekri Cheong in utter bewilderment. With the combined strength of ten men, especially with their formation deployed, they should have easily handled a single Peak Expert.
Yet, Baekri Cheong was not only holding his own against the formation but was actively pushing them back.
“Haah!”
Though his pure white martial uniform was now stained red in places, Baekri Cheong let out a fierce shout and threw himself at the oncoming spearheads.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
His sword flashed in diagonal arcs, deflecting every single spear. Each clash sent a heavy shockwave through his body, but he paid it no mind.
‘Almost there.’
The formation deployed by the ten spearmen was indeed threatening. The Ten-Hand Cotton Spear Formation of the Venerable Spear Sect. The power of a formation that united the strength of ten First-Rate experts was undeniable, certainly worthy of being the standard formation of a great sect.
However, Baekri Cheong was already looking far beyond it. He could not allow his sword to be stopped by something of this level.
“Haa!”
Having seen through the secrets of the Ten-Hand Cotton Spear Formation, Baekri Cheong immediately exploited its weakness.
“Urgh!”
His footwork and sword strikes warped the flow of the formation, creating openings among the spearmen. His merciless, pure white sword strikes did not miss the opportunity.
Spurt!
Following the clean arc of his blade, the heads of the Venerable Spear Sect's spearmen rolled smoothly onto the ground.
Giving them no room to breathe, Baekri Cheong unleashed the ultimate technique of the Baekseon Sword Technique and slammed it into the formation.
Boom!
Baekri Cheong finally shattered the Ten-Hand Cotton Spear Formation.
“Argh!”
“Damn it!”
Reeling from the backlash of the shattered formation, the remaining spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect stumbled. Six had already lost their heads, and the remaining four were in a wretched state from their internal injuries.
‘This is no time to waste. I have to help Little Brother Namgung immediately!’
Just as Baekri Cheong was about to finish them off—
Thud!
Something landed with a heavy thud between him and the remaining spearmen.
Even on a dark, moonless night, a martial artist's vision was sharp enough to identify it.
It was a human head.
“Ah!”
“Lord Samun Spear!”
The spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect could not hide their shock.
Baekri Cheong was equally astonished.
‘He did it alone?’
Baekri Cheong looked up toward where the head had flown from.
Namgung Jun was standing tall atop the wall.
Crackle!
Blue lightning crackled around his body, making his figure clearly visible. Thanks to the light, everyone could see that Namgung Jun was completely unscathed.
“Samun Spear has met his end by my sword. The Jeongyeong Gang has lost.”
At Namgung Jun's voice, which was laced with internal energy, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader and his men flinched in unison. The relentless advance of the Jeongyeong Gang, which had been cornering the Suseong Sect, ground to a halt.
“Keep moving, everyone! If we stop, we die!” the Jeongyeong Gang Leader roared, gritting his teeth to rally his men.
At that exact moment, Namgung Jun's sleeve blurred.
Thud!
A blast of Palm Force from the Heavenly Thunder Palm Technique completely crushed the left side of the Jeongyeong Gang Leader's head.
Having ended the man’s life in a single strike, Namgung Jun looked down at the remaining gang members.
“Will you continue?”
Having lost all will to fight, the members of the Jeongyeong Gang quietly laid down their weapons.
*
The Jeongyeong Gang's night raid had ended in failure.
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong helped the Suseong Sect with the cleanup. During the process, Baekri Cheong couldn't help but marvel at the ruthless efficiency of Namgung Jun's judgment.
‘His decisions and actions are as sharp as a honed blade.’
Namgung Jun executed all the surviving spearmen of the Venerable Spear Sect. As for the disciples of the Jeongyeong Gang and the underworld thugs, he crippled their Dantians and severed one of their arms.
His merciless, uncompromising stance when punishing the Demonic and Heretical Paths was striking.
“I will never forget the assistance of you two young heroes.”
The Suseong Sect Leader bowed repeatedly, expressing his deep gratitude. He and his disciples owed them not only their lives but the very survival of their sect. Naturally, his attitude was extremely respectful.
Not only him, but all the disciples of the Suseong Sect came out to see the two swordsmen off.
‘If not for these two, our sect would have…’
The Suseong Sect would have been annihilated in a single night. Cold sweat ran down his back no matter how many times he thought about it. It was a stroke of heaven-sent luck that Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong had visited when they did.
Looking at the faces of his disciples lined up on either side, the Suseong Sect Leader bowed his head once more.
“Thank you so very much.”
Namgung Jun clasped his hands in return. “Even though the Jeongyeong Gang has been dismantled, you must not let your guard down.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“I will also send word to the Shaolin Temple to help ease the Suseong Sect’s burden.”
“We would be deeply grateful.”
After exchanging brief farewells, the two swordsmen left the Suseong Sect behind and set off toward Mount Song.
“Fortunately, the mission in Shangqiu was resolved without any issues.”
“Yes. Now we just need to get through the Mount Song Gathering smoothly.”
Smiling at Namgung Jun's calm response, Baekri Cheong spoke up. “You are always so serene, Little Brother Namgung. Even if that’s just your nature, it’s not an easy thing to do.”
“Is that so? The seniors at the Heavenly Sword Hall sometimes tease me for acting like an old man.”
“Haha, take it as a compliment. Even I feel there is much to learn from you.”
At Baekri Cheong's playful remark, a faint smile played on Namgung Jun's lips.
“I'm glad to hear it. I am also learning a great deal from you, Young Hero Baekri. A relationship where we can both benefit is precious indeed.”
Namgung Jun looked at Baekri Cheong and asked, “By the way, Young Hero Baekri, how long do you plan on calling me 'Little Brother'? That title feels a bit distant, doesn't it?”
“Hmm. Now that you mention it, you’re right. I suppose the name just stuck.” After pondering for a moment, Baekri Cheong smiled. “Since we joined at the same time, it would be awkward to call each other senior and junior. How about we call each other brother?”
“Sounds good, Brother Baekri.”
When Namgung Jun immediately changed his address, Baekri Cheong paused, as if caught by a sudden, unexpected blow.
‘It's been a long time since I've heard that.’
He had suggested it without much thought. But hearing it from Namgung Jun's lips resonated surprisingly deeply.
‘It reminds me of Hyeon.’
Baekri Cheong thought of his younger brother, Baekri Hyeon. If he were still alive, he would be the exact same age as Namgung Jun.
In truth, this wasn't the first time Namgung Jun had reminded him of Baekri Hyeon. Namgung Jun had a similar build and an almost identical personality, and talking with him often brought back memories.
It wasn't that he saw Namgung Jun as a replacement for his brother. The two were different people. Yet, he couldn't help but think of Baekri Hyeon whenever he looked at Namgung Jun.
He was the younger brother he missed so dearly.
“Brother Baekri?”
Only when Namgung Jun called out to him again did Baekri Cheong snap out of his thoughts.
“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.” He hesitated briefly before continuing, “Little Brother Namgung.”
“I'm glad you know my surname properly, Brother Baekri. The Heavenly Sword Hall Master got it wrong at first.”
“What? He did?”
Watching Baekri Cheong burst into laughter, Namgung Jun gently lowered his eyelids. Though he didn't know the exact reason, he could sense the turmoil in Baekri Cheong's emotions. That's why he'd made a light joke, and it seemed to have worked.
‘Brother... and brother...’
It was a relationship he'd never had in his past life, which made it feel all the more novel. Savoring the new titles, Namgung Jun's smile deepened.
‘Yes. This isn't so bad.’
With their steps lightened, the two swordsmen, now calling each other brothers, continued their journey.
Their destination was Mount Song, where the gathering was to be held.