Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Yangyang
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The disciples of the Imperial Physician Sword Sect crept toward Dang Mujin's group.
They seemed a bit flustered by the sudden change in their attack target, but showed no signs of backing down or fleeing.
There were two reasons for this.
First, they had a clear justification: avenging the previous sect leader of the Imperial Physician Sword Sect. Second, the sect's disciples spanned the second-rate and first-rate realms, where martial artists feel at their bravest.
With second-rate or first-rate skill, one could make local thugs—who knew a bit of martial arts—lower their eyes, not to mention ordinary townsfolk.
In terms of practicality for everyday life, there wasn't much difference between second-rate martial arts and those of absolute peak experts.
Moreover, until reaching the brink of first-rate, one couldn't truly feel the towering wall of the peak realm. Thus, their respect for true masters remained vague.
In this sudden standoff between Dang Mujin's group and the Imperial Physician Sword Sect disciples, the most flustered person was undoubtedly Hyeon-gong.
'What the hell is going on?'
He had only called the Imperial Physician Sword Sect disciples here with good intentions, yet the atmosphere had turned vicious.
Of course, if the Imperial Physician Sword Sect were just some vaguely familiar sect, Hyeon-gong would have quietly slipped away and sided with Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae.
The problem was their close ties to the Wudang Sect. The Imperial Physician Sword Sect was a key pillar in the Righteous Heaven Alliance, formed by Wudang to unite the sects of Hubei.
Wudang led the Righteous Heaven Alliance, of course, but beneath them were several mid-tier sects with reputations in the region.
Hyeon-gong harbored grand ambitions of eventually unifying all the scattered alliances across the Central Plains under the Righteous Heaven Alliance. That's why he consistently attended its internal events and the ceremonies of its member sects. Just a few months ago, he had even gone to the Imperial Physician Sword Sect leader's funeral.
In other words, it was absurd for Hyeon-gong to side with Dang Mujin's group and attack the Imperial Physician Sword Sect now.
But conversely, standing with the Imperial Physician Sword Sect to strike at Dang Mujin's group was an enormous problem.
If he earned the enmity of the next Namgung family head and the Beggars' Sect's future sect leader, who knew what backlash would come? And there was a high chance Hyeon-gong himself would bear the responsibility.
So he desperately hoped no fight would break out here. No matter who won, it would be bad for him—only endless accountability awaited.
The one silver lining was the imbalance of power.
In Hyeon-gong's eyes, the Imperial Physician Sword Sect clearly held the advantage over Dang Mujin's group.
A dozen second-raters could easily overwhelm Hong Geolgae, while the rest of the first-raters combined could handle Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin—maybe two or three on Dang Mujin and five or six on Namgung Myeong.
When the power balance was this skewed, even peak-or-higher experts prioritized avoiding the scene over pride. Neither Namgung Myeong nor Dang Mujin were fools, so they would surely do the same.
'Plus, the Salmak assassins could get involved. In such an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation, they'll definitely run.'
Hyeon-gong turned to look at Dang Mujin's group.
But the three he expected to tuck tail were preparing for battle.
Their confident expressions even suggested they were certain of victory.
'...What the hell gives them that confidence?'
Flustered, Hyeon-gong immediately sent a transmission to Namgung Myeong, attempting mediation.
- What's this? Planning to fight?
- Yeah. Let's finish them quick and storm Salmak.
- You're serious?
- Of course. They're just unplanned allies dropping out. No big deal.
- Calm down. If you fight here, Salmak will jump in.
- We'll handle them all before Salmak arrives.
Hyeon-gong narrowed his eyes at Namgung Myeong. Wipe out the Imperial Physician Sword Sect before Salmak got here?
Impossible.
He sent another transmission.
- Let me calm the Imperial Physician Sword Sect. Back off for now.
- Back off? Think about it logically. We killed their previous leader—the current one's father. How do you calm that?
Hyeon-gong was speechless at the razor-sharp point.
He sensed the creeping presence and murmurs of the approaching Imperial Physician Sword Sect disciples from behind. Dizzying.
'I have to prevent a clash somehow!'
Desperately racking his brain, Hyeon-gong came up with one solution.
The noisiest, most attention-grabbing technique he knew: the Thunderclap Palm.
Bam!
Thrusting his palm skyward, a explosive burst like something detonating echoed out.
His sudden action made both the advancing Imperial Physician Sword Sect martial artists and Dang Mujin's group falter.
Hyeon-gong bellowed.
"Everyone, calm down! Before drawing weapons, hear the full story—that's the proper way! I, Victory Dragon Sword Hyeon-gong, stake my name and sect's honor on mediating neutrally to hear both sides and judge right from wrong!"
But Hyeon-gong had no intention of investigating the circumstances. If it could be resolved through talk, the mood wouldn't have soured like this.
He unleashed the Thunderclap Palm not to draw eyes for mediation.
'Create a common enemy!'
The alert Salmak assassins couldn't have missed the thunderous boom. They'd surely show up to investigate its source.
Once the assassins appeared, Namgung Myeong's group and the Imperial Physician Sword Sect would have no choice but to unite against them, willing or not.
Even bitter rivals would set aside grudges to fight back-to-back when lives were on the line.
Moreover, Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin must have had reasons for clashing with the previous Imperial Physician Sword Sect leader, so a peaceful resolution might emerge in the aftermath.
Hyeon-gong shivered. Devising this plan in a single breath.
'A stroke of genius. My martial prowess isn't all—my stratagems reach the heavens too.'
It seemed his scheme was working. Black shadows peeked from the rooftops of the opposite building: Salmak assassins.
The assassins watched the tense standoff by the well, gauging the situation.
Hyeon-gong waited for their numbers to grow enough, then dramatically pointed at the rooftops.
"Ah! The vile Salmak assassins have revealed themselves! Heroes! Put aside the quarrel and strike down the villains first!"
But contrary to his plan, Dang Mujin's group and the Imperial Physician Sword Sect only hesitated, refusing to turn their backs to each other.
If that were the end of it, it might have been fine—but subtle glances began passing between the Imperial Physician Sword Sect disciples and the Salmak assassins.
'...Something's off.'
The Imperial Physician Sword Sect martial artists and Salmak assassins stared at each other for a long moment, then—as if by agreement—simultaneously turned to glare at Dang Mujin's group.
Hyeon-gong grasped the situation instantly. He had wanted Dang Mujin's group and the Imperial Physician Sword Sect to unite against Salmak, but instead, the sect and assassins had formed a united front.
'...I'm screwed.'
A wave of vertigo hit Hyeon-gong. No solutions came to mind.
'How did things go so wrong?'
His heart sank, tears welling up. He should never have gotten involved from the start.
Help Namgung Myeong's group escape? Or aid the Imperial Physician Sword Sect and assassins to eliminate them?
If he kept his mouth shut, he might conceal the deaths of these three.
'No. If even one escapes, I'm done for. What do I do?'
Just then, he saw Dang Mujin's group step back half a pace each. Judging they couldn't handle Salmak too, they seemed set on fleeing. Hyeon-gong glimpsed a faint hope.
Dang Mujin shouted.
"Now!"
With that short cry, Dang Mujin's group bolted toward the outskirts of Yangyang.
At a speed the first- and second-raters of the Imperial Physician Sword Sect couldn't match. Four particularly swift assassins from Salmak gave chase.
Hyeon-gong quickly transmitted to the Imperial Physician Sword Sect leader.
- I'll capture those bastards, so don't worry! I'll make the vengeance for the previous leader crystal clear!
The sect leader nodded.
He seemed to firmly trust the Imperial Physician Sword Sect's bond with Wudang and his personal connection with Hyeon-gong from the funeral.
Hyeon-gong dashed after the assassins toward Dang Mujin.
He still hadn't decided whose side to take: the Imperial Physician Sword Sect or Dang Mujin's group.
But he had to move now. Letting Dang Mujin's group escape would make everything for naught.
Hyeon-gong diligently unleashed his lightness skill.
*
Dang Mujin's trio led the way, pursued by four peak-realm assassins, with Hyeon-gong bringing up the rear.
Maintaining a subtle distance behind the assassins, Hyeon-gong drew occasional glances back from them, as if wary.
He transmitted to the one who seemed their leader.
- I am Victory Dragon Sword Hyeon-gong of Wudang. It's humiliating to ally with scum like you, but today it's unavoidable. As a Wudang martial artist, I must avenge the previous Imperial Physician Sword Sect leader.
The assassins didn't doubt his words.
They knew of the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the ties between Wudang and the Imperial Physician Sword Sect.
What was the point of small sects joining a great one's banner if not for days like this?
They might have been a bit cautious of Hyeon-gong, but showed no great hostility.
His story was also welcome news for the assassins.
Even with four peak assassins, Dang Mujin's group wasn't easy prey. Victory might still cost them lives.
The losses from fighting the怪衣 were already severe; more could threaten Salmak's very survival.
But with a reliable ally like Hyeon-gong, their worries eased. Numerical superiority grew exponentially more devastating with each added fighter.
Salmak's leader, Black Cicada, transmitted back.
- Understood. Today's alliance stays in the shadows—no need to worry about loose ends.
How long had they run? Hyeon-gong noticed Namgung Myeong, out in front, glancing back repeatedly.
Thick suspicion filled Namgung Myeong's eyes, as if asking, 'Hyeon-gong, you bastard, why are you moving with the assassins?'
Hyeon-gong analyzed the situation one last time.
'We're far enough from Yangyang. The Imperial Physician Sword Sect disciples won't know what happens here.'
'If I side with the assassins, I can easily crush Namgung Myeong's group. Or if I side with Namgung Myeong against the assassins, I can still win.'
'If I join Salmak assassins to take down Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae, only the Imperial Physician Sword Sect folk would see it favorably.'
'If I claim the Imperial Physician Sword Sect allied with Salmak assassins to target Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae, my sect elders would understand my choice.'
'Even if the assassins slander me later, no one would believe assassins over me.'
'The next Namgung family head and Beggars' Sect future leader carry far more weight than the Imperial Physician Sword Sect.'
It took just one breath to sort through it all.
All his dilemmas scattered like dandelion seeds in a spring breeze.
The chaotic world cleared, and Hyeon-gong's gaze sharpened.
Only bold action remained.
Hyeon-gong's footwork changed.
He abandoned Flowing Cloud Steps for Ladder Cloud Vertical, the pinnacle of Wudang lightness skills.
His form stretched like molten sugar, closing right up behind the assassins.
But its cloud-treading lightness let him approach undetected.
Sword already drawn, Hyeon-gong unleashed Taiji Sword from his fingertip.
His blade pierced the back of the rearmost assassin.
Splurt. A small tearing sound.
Gurk. A tiny cry.
Thud. Legs tangling as a body tumbled.
Among those present, only Hong Geolgae failed to notice the sudden event from behind—he was merely first-rate.
The Salmak assassins whirled in shock at Hyeon-gong's ambush.
Namgung Myeong and Dang Mujin halted, trying to grasp what happened.
Facing countless stares, Hyeon-gong roared.
"Salmak villains! Your evil ends today!"