Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Zhenzhou Yan Clan (2)
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On the journey from Huguang to Shanxi, Ouyang Jue spent a long time pondering.
The reason the Zhenzhou Yan Clan was attacking the Mount Hua Sect, and why they hadn't in his past life.
These were two entirely different questions. Perhaps it was a consequence of some action he had taken.
‘If they had decided to strike, they could have done so long ago, not just now.’
This meant a reason to attack had emerged. Otherwise, the Zhenzhou Yan Clan would have no need to bear the dishonor of a preemptive strike.
Just then, Cheol Pung-gae asked abruptly.
“We’re so close we could touch it with our noses. Have you found your answer?”
“The answer came to me long ago.”
However, Ouyang Jue frowned and muttered under his breath.
“I’m just taking time to gauge what will happen afterward.”
“What will happen afterward… Well, it won’t be small. The head of the Yan Clan, which dominates Hebei alongside the Peng Clan, is about to be taken.”
If everything Ouyang Jue had done until now was a whirlpool changing things little by little, this was a storm.
Once it passed, the very heavens would shift, and countless causal links would change.
In the midst of it all, the Mount Hua Sect was by no means the strongest. It was even possible that Nangong Cheon might start crunching the numbers on his abacus again.
But was he to stand idly by?
‘That’s not what I want.’
Ouyang Jue lightly slapped his cheeks with both hands. His slightly obscured face was once again filled with confidence.
Seeing this, Cheol Pung-gae let out a faint smile.
“You brat, that suits you much better.”
“Don’t call a disciple of Mount Hua a brat so carelessly. It could become a problem later.”
“Aish, damn it, yes, yes. This beggar will shut his mouth.”
Cheol Pung-gae grumbled and headed toward his subordinates. Ouyang Jue watched him silently.
‘If the Zhenzhou Yan Clan falls into crisis, the Beggars’ Sect will also grow stronger.’
Just as Cheol Pung-gae admired yet remained wary of Ouyang Jue, Ouyang Jue too was carefully observing him.
He was someone who, knowingly or not, was aware of everything Ouyang Jue had done.
He might even know about his secret entry into the Zhongnan Sect’s mountain.
Of course, participating in this great undertaking was a significant burden for Cheol Pung-gae as well.
But Ouyang Jue did not let go of his suspicions.
‘But is this truly an act of goodwill, or is it a cold, thorough calculation?’
Some might see him as frighteningly suspicious and sinister.
But Ouyang Jue knew this was no trivial matter.
If Cheol Pung-gae were to side with the Zhenzhou Yan Clan, defeat would be certain.
He wanted to believe it wasn't so, he truly did… but if he were betrayed later, it would be too late.
Thinking this far, Ouyang Jue let out a self-deprecating sigh.
‘Is it because I suffered so much during my days as the Bloodhound, or am I just naturally cynical?’
Perhaps even having such worries meant he was becoming more warm-hearted, like other Daoists.
‘In my past life, I probably would have tried to get rid of Cheol Pung-gae along with this affair.’
As Ouyang Jue held back a bitter smile, the sound of wagon wheels grew louder.
It was a carriage flying the banner of the Golden Ring Merchant Guild.
Rumble, clatter!
The horses’ breaths were unusually ragged from forcing their way up the treacherous mountain path. They staggered as if their knees might buckle at any moment.
But Bai Chuan, as if accustomed to such things, skillfully whipped the horses.
Watching him, Ouyang Jue realized the time had come.
“It’s time to go.”
Time to cast aside worries and act.
Ouyang Jue felt the storm drawing near.
* * *
“Once we cross this pass, it’s Shaanxi, right?”
“Yes!”
“Wrap the horses’ hooves in cloth so we are not noticed, and spare no oil on the wheels!”
Rustle, rustle.
At Yan Yang-gun’s command, the warriors of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan moved as one.
Every one of them was at least first-rate, and a good number had reached the peak.
He didn’t think they could conquer the Mount Hua Sect in one fell swoop with just these numbers. But if they engaged in a slow war of attrition, it was a different story.
‘If we completely isolate them so they can’t leave the mountain and slowly tighten the noose, even the great Mount Hua Sect will be helpless.’
In particular, Gwak Un-pae, the Master of the Reception Hall of Mount Hua, was known for his strong affection for his sect brothers.
If they could fully exploit that temperament to lure him out, they could easily eliminate one of Mount Hua’s peak masters.
Yan Yang-gun believed that the only ones in the Mount Hua Sect who could stop him were the four elders and the Sect Leader, Bai Duanxian.
‘If we eliminate Gwak Un-pae as well, that leaves only four.’
The problem was that those four were as strong as he was… but they were still human. They would weaken if they couldn't eat or sleep.
A foul smile spread across Yan Yang-gun’s face.
“The sword arts of the Mount Hua Sect will finally flow into the Zhenzhou Yan Clan. If we combine them with the Three Absolute Swords, a peerless art will be born.”
“Indeed, sir.”
“The era of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan is finally upon us!”
The warriors’ morale was sky-high; they considered the battle half-won already.
And for good reason—they believed there was no one in the Mount Hua Sect to be particularly wary of.
The once-mighty Ha Jin-ak had become a cripple, and Gwak Un-pae would surely be blinded by rage over the death of the Wise Sword, with whom he once shared a master. In fact, the pretext for their journey to Mount Hua was to lay his body to rest.
Knowing this, there was no way Gwak Un-pae wouldn’t come out.
Even if they suffered losses in this battle, a reward had been promised.
A promise that they would be guaranteed the martial arts and influence of the Mount Hua Sect, and that any damages they incurred would be restored.
Yan Yang-gun thought of ‘him’ on Mount Mao and shivered.
He then unconsciously brushed the back of his hand and found goosebumps had risen.
‘…Damn it.’
Yan Yang-gun clenched his jaw tightly. Deep lines formed beneath his chin.
“If the preparations are complete, let’s move out at once!”
“Yes, sir!”
As if on cue, the warriors of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan cracked their whips against their horses.
Just then, from somewhere…
An emotionless voice struck their ears.
“Where are you all headed?”
“…?”
Despite the rustling of dry branches and leaves crushed under the horses’ hooves, that voice reached Yan Yang-gun with perfect clarity.
Sound transmission? No, this was on a completely different level from such a low-grade sonic art.
Yan Yang-gun asked, his voice laced with tension.
“Show yourself at once!”
“Hmph.”
Letting out a cold laugh, Ouyang Jue emerged from behind a tree. But it seemed no one recognized him.
It was only natural for a rising talent who had rarely appeared in the martial world.
He had also changed out of his Daoist robes.
Indeed, upon seeing Ouyang Jue, who looked to have just come of age, Yan Yang-gun erased his tension.
“Haha, I don’t know which sect you belong to, disciple, but your luck has run out.”
“I’m not so sure who’s the unlucky one here.”
Shing!
Ouyang Jue drew Severing Manifestation and swung it lightly.
The grip on the sword, from one inch to one and a half.
By moving it just that distance, the sword could trace an infinite arc and sever countless lives.
The man before him, Yan Yang-gun, was no exception.
“Seeing you run your mouth at your age, I’d say you’re the one who learned martial arts in vain.”
The intonation might have sounded like a word of advice, but the words themselves were an insult to Yan Yang-gun.
Did the words find their mark?
“You’re courting death!”
Crack…!
Yan Yang-gun clenched his fist.
Just from the way the wind gathered there, Ouyang Jue could tell what level Yan Yang-gun had reached.
‘So he’s a master of the Yan Clan Fist. He’s quite skilled.’
Still, it wasn’t enough to surprise him.
Compared to everyone he had met recently, he was nothing but a minnow.
‘I don’t know what he thinks of himself, but he’s below the level of a Mount Hua elder.’
As Ouyang Jue maintained his indifferent attitude, Yan Yang-gun roared in fury.
“Who are you?!”
As he said this, Yan Yang-gun didn’t expect the other party to reveal his identity easily.
He had only said it to vent his anger. It should have been just that.
But Ouyang Jue answered nonchalantly.
“Ouyang Jue.”
“…?! You’re Ouyang Jue?”
Seeing Yan Yang-gun’s disbelief, Ouyang Jue’s mockery deepened.
“Did you think I’d run my mouth like you? If I were to use a false name, I’d have picked a more impressive one.”
At those words, Yan Yang-gun’s face turned crimson.
“Don’t lie! I can feel a Buddhist aura from you. How dare you!”
“Ah.”
Could it be because of this?
Ouyang Jue glanced at the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor he had been wearing constantly.
Then, an idea struck him.
A stratagem to easily lure Yan Yang-gun.
“Fine. In that case, I’ll play along with your judgment.”
“What?”
Shhk, thak.
Sheathing Severing Manifestation, Ouyang Jue rolled up the sleeves of both arms and took the fundamental horse stance of fist arts.
Considering Yan Yang-gun was the master of the Zhenzhou Yan Clan, there could be no greater humiliation.
“Come at me. I’ll face you using only the fist arts of Shaolin.”
“…!”
“Well, I’ll just be mimicking them, so they probably won’t be exactly the same. I think that’s being generous enough, don’t you?”
At those words, Yan Yang-gun could no longer hold back.
From the moment he was seen here, he had to kill Ouyang Jue anyway.
“You’re the one running your mouth!”
Yan Yang-gun bent his knees and kicked off the ground. With a cracking sound, the roots of a tree were exposed.
The Zhenzhou Yan Clan Fist, known for maximizing power to its absolute limit, shot forward in a straight line.
Fwhoosh!!
Watching it, Ouyang Jue held back a foul smile.
“You probably sneered at Senior Wise Sword just like this on your way here.”
“…!”
“I won’t ask what you did to Senior Wise Sword. No, don’t tell me.”
But now, it was his turn to sneer.
“Because I’m going to give you a humiliation and pain greater than any other.”
Ouyang Jue infused his internal energy into the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor.
Then he pulled his right hand back to his side and swung.
CRASH…!
A cloud of dust erupted.
Behind that curtain of dust, a single silhouette rose.