Chapter 82: Supporting the Le'an Branch (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: Supporting the Le'an Branch (2)
"You... don't know who I am?" the woman muttered, dumbfounded by Namgung Jun's question.
Staring at Namgung Jun with disappointed eyes, Dan So-hye recalled their first meeting.
‘Namgung Jun. My first opponent in the placement test.’
No matter how much time passed, that memory would likely remain vivid in her mind.
It was only natural.
It was, after all, the first truly devastating defeat she had ever experienced as a martial artist.
‘Even thinking about it now makes me dizzy. How was a single strike like that even possible?’
She had faced Namgung Jun as her first opponent in the placement test, only to suffer a crushing defeat—her sword shattered in a single blow. The entire exchange had happened so quickly it felt like a dream.
The current situation felt much the same.
To think that the person who had suddenly appeared and saved her was none other than Namgung Jun.
"We can talk later," Namgung Jun said.
Dan So-hye couldn't take her eyes off him, but Namgung Jun was already focused on the demonic practitioners appearing one after another from the woods behind them.
Trying to place a woman he couldn't remember wasn't a priority. His focus had to be on the demonic practitioners before him.
In particular, he noted that among them were peak experts, likely of the Bright Order Rank.
‘Bright Order Rank.’
Facing them again brought back a flood of memories.
‘Is this the first time since my first mission?’
Back then, he had been at a clear disadvantage.
While they were experts who had reached the peak realm, he had been just a novice who had barely begun his martial arts journey. It had been a life-or-death struggle that he overcame entirely by borrowing the power of his past life.
To the Namgung Jun of that time, a Bright Order Rank practitioner had been a truly formidable opponent.
Not anymore.
Even though these demonic practitioners were stronger than the one from his first mission, they posed no threat to him now.
"I am Namgung Jun of the Azure Heaven Association," Namgung Jun announced, his voice clear and proud.
As he took a step forward, the demonic practitioners instinctively took a step back.
The same went for the two Bright Order Rank practitioners leading the detachment, Red-Gate Sword and Ho Gong-no.
While Namgung Jun rested a hand casually on his sword hilt, tension was etched onto the faces of the two Bright Order Rank leaders.
‘Namgung Jun? I've heard that name somewhere.’
‘Hasn't he been active in Jiangxi Province? I can't recall a clear title, though.’
Still, the two Bright Order Rank practitioners did not let their guard down. It didn't matter if they didn't know his exact identity.
His aura was impossible to gauge, and despite his youth, the three clouds embroidered on his sleeve marked him as a Third Cloud. That alone made it clear he was a swordsman to be wary of.
"Attack!"
Red-Gate Sword, who had been glaring intently at Namgung Jun, finally chose to strike first.
Although there were three Third Clouds on the opposing side, their numbers weren't overwhelming. Furthermore, the Clouds of the Le'an Branch were in no condition to fight at their full capacity after the prolonged chase. In such a situation, seizing the momentum with a preemptive strike was the wisest choice.
The detachment led by Red-Gate Sword and Ho Gong-no leaped toward Namgung Jun's group.
Leading the charge was Red-Gate Sword.
‘While I keep this brat busy, Ho Gong-no can finish off the others.’
After that, they could slowly hunt down the isolated Namgung Jun, wearing him down bit by bit. They would capture the Le'an Branch members and eliminate the Third Clouds of the Azure Heaven Association's Ten Halls as a bonus.
This was an opportunity to double their achievements.
Just as Red-Gate Sword drew his sword in a twisting motion from a low stance, preparing to slash upward—
"Huh?"
Red-Gate Sword's breath hitched.
It was inevitable.
The blue sword wind rapidly closing in on him was far too dense and massive. There was absolutely nowhere to run.
The only option was a head-on clash, but Red-Gate Sword's instincts screamed at him.
‘It's impossible.’
Red-Gate Sword knew his own martial limits all too well. Realizing that his only option would end in failure, he froze.
‘Ah...’
Clang!
A single strike.
A sword strike rising from below with a twist of the wrist not only shattered Red-Gate Sword's weapon but also severed his head. It was a beautiful display of swordsmanship, the destruction of the weapon and the death of its wielder occurring in a single, fluid motion.
The two sides had yet to even fully clash.
Yet, Namgung Jun had already decapitated the leading Bright Order Rank practitioner in a single blow.
"What? Red-Gate Sword?"
"How?!"
"Heavens! The Bright Order leader!"
Ho Gong-no and the other demonic practitioners charging from the left and right froze in shock.
Their opponent was a Bright Order Rank practitioner. Of course, individual martial prowess varied, but they were roughly equivalent to a Third Cloud of the Azure Heaven Association. There shouldn't have been such a massive disparity in power for the fight to be decided in a single blow.
‘Yes! That's it!’
Watching Namgung Jun's strike up close, Dan So-hye wasn't surprised. Instead, a sense of familiarity—even delight—washed over her.
Because she had experienced it firsthand.
The placement test for the Azure Heaven Association's First Clouds. As Namgung Jun's first opponent, she had her weapon shattered and victory snatched away in a single strike.
It had been a truly devastating outcome.
The clean strike that had just slain Red-Gate Sword was eerily reminiscent of the one from her own duel. Though, of course, the level of his swordplay was on a completely different level now.
‘It hasn't even been a year yet...’
Dan So-hye wondered as she stared at Namgung Jun's back.
How was this possible?
She was still a First Cloud. She had only recently begun preparing for the Second Cloud promotion exam. Her seniors at the Le'an Branch had told her that her own progress was considered quite fast. She had felt a secret pride in that.
But looking at Namgung Jun, that pride evaporated.
A Third Cloud… and that sword strike. He was on a completely different level from the boy at the placement test.
"Man Ye-won. Help the Clouds of the Le'an Branch," Namgung Jun ordered.
He didn't give any specific orders to Heo Il and Gong Jun-am. However, as if reading his mind, the two took up positions guarding his left and right flanks.
"One Bright Order Rank practitioner and twenty ordinary cult disciples left. Still quite a crowd," Heo Il remarked.
"While Namgung Jun deals with the remaining Bright Order leader, we'll clean up the small fry," Gong Jun-am replied.
The three Third Clouds, including Namgung Jun, leaped forward simultaneously. The Sun-Moon Demonic Cult detachment, which had hesitated for a moment, began to crumble as they clashed with the three swordsmen.
"Ugh!"
The one who flinched the most was the elderly Bright Order Rank practitioner, Ho Gong-no.
It was only natural. Red-Gate Sword, who was stronger than him, had been decapitated in a single strike.
‘Did he learn some kind of demonic art from the Azure Heaven Association?!’
His footwork was impossibly fluid, as if he could move anywhere at will. Yet the body supported by those feet charged forward with an immense, unyielding pressure that tolerated no interference.
‘I cannot stop his charge.’
Analyzing Namgung Jun's martial arts in an instant with his years of experience, Ho Gong-no thrust both palms forward. He intended to pour out his ultimate technique from the start, pushing Namgung Jun back and using the opening to escape. He was even prepared to use his subordinates as bait. Survival was his only priority.
"Futile," Namgung Jun muttered.
But Namgung Jun wasn't just a boy with powerful martial arts. The experience from his past life as the Sword Emperor more than compensated for his mere year of training. With his greatest weakness—inexperience—neutralized, no one here could stop him.
"Huh?"
Ho Gong-no's eyes widened as he tried to unleash his ultimate technique.
It wasn't the heavy sword strike that had taken Red-Gate Sword's head. Instead of a heavy wave of monstrous Sword Force, a swift strike rained down, so fast it seemed to fold space itself.
It was like lightning.
A boy wielding a sword as swift as lightning.
Only then did Ho Gong-no recall Namgung Jun's title.
"The Azure Star Sword!"
Those were Ho Gong-no's last words.
The tip of the sword instantly pierced through his outstretched palms and skewered his heart.
Just like Red-Gate Sword, he had fallen in a single strike.
"Two Bright Order Rank practitioners, each in a single blow?"
"Who on earth is that boy?"
"The Azure Star Sword! The Righteous Path's Number One Rising Star! It's definitely Namgung Jun!"
Watching this scene unfold, the Clouds of the Le'an Branch could not contain their awe. Who would have thought a Third Cloud, appearing out of nowhere, could display such overwhelming power against Bright Order Rank practitioners? That was the kind of feat one would expect from a Fourth Cloud Hall Master.
Dan So-hye stared blankly at Namgung Jun.
‘I heard rumors that he was recognized as the Righteous Path's Number One Rising Star after the Mount Song Gathering, but... I hadn't expected the gap to be this vast.’
She had been planning to train hard and avenge her defeat from the placement test. But looking at the current Namgung Jun, that seemed eternally impossible.
Her competitive spirit vanished, leaving only curiosity.
How did Namgung Jun get so strong?
Dan So-hye's gaze showed no sign of leaving Namgung Jun's back.
"It is an honor to meet the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall," a middle-aged man with three clouds embroidered on his sleeve said. "You have been a great help. I am the Chief of the Le'an Branch."
As the Le'an Branch Chief spoke, Namgung Jun's group also showed their respects. As soon as the Branch Chief caught his breath, he looked at them and asked, "By any chance, did you see the martial artists of the Iron Battle Camp on your way here?"
"The Iron Battle Camp hasn't appeared yet. What's the situation?"
"I have received word that not only the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, but also the Iron Battle Camp has mobilized their martial artists toward Mount Okhwa."
Hearing that a major sect belonging to the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers had mobilized alongside the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, Heo Il's eyes narrowed.
"I heard the Iron Battle Camp might get involved, but this is troublesome. It will be difficult if they try to overwhelm us with sheer numbers," Heo Il muttered.
The Branch Chief pulled a blood-stained letter from his chest pocket and showed it to them.
"The reason the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult pursued the Le'an Branch so relentlessly all the way to Mount Okhwa, and the reason the Iron Battle Camp is also flocking here... it is all because of this. This must be delivered to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master at all costs."
What the Branch Chief held in his hand was a piece of paper, neatly written but stained with blood from his wounds. They were curious about its contents, but the details could wait. The priority was to resolve the current situation before the Iron Battle Camp arrived.
* * *
Namgung Jun quickly led the Clouds of the Le'an Branch down the mountain. Having heard that the Iron Battle Camp was on the move, he had to regroup with Lee Se-ha as quickly as possible.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Boom!
"Left side! Keep your distance!"
"Hold your positions!"
When they arrived at the prearranged meeting point, they found the Heavenly Sword Hall pushing back the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
At the center of it all was Lee Se-ha.
Standing at the forefront, she swiftly cut down the demonic practitioners rushing in from both sides. Riding the momentum she created, the other veterans firmly held back the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's advance.
"Oh? The youngest is coming down."
"This quickly?"
"This mission will be over soon."
Spotting Namgung Jun's group, the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen pushed forward slightly to secure a safe path for the Le'an Branch Clouds.
"Master, a new variable has appeared," Namgung Jun said.
"Are you talking about those over there?" Lee Se-ha asked.
She gently drew her sword from the chest of a demonic practitioner and pointed toward the ridge. It was still too far for Namgung Jun's sensory perception to reach. However, there was something clearly visible to the naked eye.
A thick cloud of dust was rising beyond the ridge, and within it, countless dark silhouettes were multiplying.
"Those must be the Iron Battle Camp."
"Indeed. If anyone is making such a massive move in Jiangxi Province, it can only be the Iron Battle Camp."
It was just as the Le'an Branch Chief had said.
A new wave of qi washed over them from afar. Though their numbers were estimated at around fifty, their perfectly unified qi swelled so fiercely that it felt like facing an army of a hundred. Their synchronized march alone generated a pressure akin to a deployed sword formation. It was, in every sense, a military aura.
"It's one mountain after another."
"Some annoying pests have popped up."
"Everyone, catch your breath."
The Heavenly Sword Hall clearly held the upper hand on the battlefield. Under Lee Se-ha's command, they had already slain all the Bright Order Rank practitioners and were pressing their advantage.
However, the number of surviving Sun-Moon Demonic Cult practitioners fighting desperately was still substantial. Under these circumstances, the arrival of the Iron Battle Camp was highly unfavorable.
Yet, the Heavenly Sword Hall did not fear.
Without needing explicit orders, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall moved to their designated positions, gathering around Lee Se-ha. The spot where she stood naturally became the center of their formation.
With the Heavenly Sword Hall at her back, Lee Se-ha spoke.
"Deploy the formation."
It was the very first moment the Great Derivation Sword Formation, refined by Namgung Jun's hands, revealed itself to the world.