Chapter 39
First Solo Mission (4)
Namgung Jun entered Hyeongjung Sect as Jang Il-su's escort.
The moment they stepped into the sect grounds, a vast training field filled their view.
Beyond it stood rows of towering halls and pavilions.
The rumors that Hyeongjung Sect was the largest orthodox sect in Hefei appeared to be no exaggeration.
“Haaah!”
A vigorous shout erupted from the center of the training grounds.
Turning his head, Namgung Jun saw Hyeongjung Sect disciples gathered in training.
High-quality martial robes.
Well-maintained swords.
Disciplined postures and reasonably unified auras.
The sect's military strength was on full display.
Ordinarily, allowing outsiders to observe martial training was taboo in the martial world.
Yet Hyeongjung Sect openly displayed its martial arts to every guest attending the banquet.
It was blatant intimidation.
Their basic martial art, perhaps.
From what he could see, it resembled a modified version of the Three Talents Sword Art mixed with several additional forms.
If that was the case, they likely had no concerns about outsiders watching.
Their true core arts were undoubtedly hidden away.
“Hyaaa!”
The purpose was obvious.
To suppress the spirits of everyone attending the banquet.
The tactic was working.
Whenever the disciples let out thunderous battle cries, Jang Il-su flinched slightly.
Even martial artists reacted similarly.
The expressions of various middle-aged sect leaders and martial academy masters from Hefei's smaller factions were visibly uncomfortable.
Hyeongjung Sect's display was proving quite effective.
“Merchant Leader. Breathe slowly.”
“Ah... understood, Young Hero.”
Only then did Jang Il-su remember Namgung Jun's presence at his side and regain some composure.
“You're from the Yeongjun Merchant Company. This way, please.”
After checking their invitation, a Hyeongjung Sect disciple led them inward.
The circular banquet hall contained numerous small tables arranged around the room, each laden with food and wine.
Naturally, seated at the place of honor facing the entrance was the Sect Master of Hyeongjung Sect himself.
His posture radiated arrogance.
The Sect Master greeted Jang Il-su warmly.
“Merchant Leader Jang, welcome. I heard your recent caravan suffered some unfortunate difficulties. Fortunately, you survived.”
Jang Il-su's eyebrows twitched.
Yet he could not openly refute the man.
He merely nodded and offered a vague response.
“I was fortunate. The journey failed, but surviving with my life is profit enough.”
After taking his seat, Jang Il-su sat down while Namgung Jun remained standing behind him as an escort.
Several people showed interest in the unfamiliar young face accompanying him.
Their curiosity quickly faded.
A newly hired guard? He's young.
His aura is unimpressive. Looks like a cheap swordsman.
None of them recognized Namgung Jun's true capabilities.
Before long, every seat in the banquet hall had been filled.
The Sect Master began speaking as though he had been waiting for this moment.
“Everyone, thank you for honoring this gathering with your presence.”
“A banquet hosted by the Sect Master? How could we not attend?”
“I saw the disciples on the way in. Hyeongjung Sect's strength is truly impressive. I envy it greatly.”
Those seeking favor with Hyeongjung Sect eagerly showered praise upon the Sect Master.
Those opposed to the sect merely sat with dark expressions, quietly observing.
After exchanging various pleasantries and discussing recent events, the Sect Master set down his wine cup.
Tak!
A trace of internal energy accompanied the gesture.
Instantly, everyone's attention focused on him.
“The reason I gathered you all here today is to discuss the greater good of Hefei.”
“The greater good?”
The Sect Master nodded.
“Recently, the evil sects of Hefei have begun showing signs of cooperation and coordination.”
His gaze swept across the assembled guests.
“I believe it is time for us to unite and respond together.”
The moment he finished speaking, several middle-aged men seated nearby immediately voiced support.
“The sooner such matters are handled, the better.”
“Forming an alliance is indeed an important matter. Everyone should participate.”
Naturally, not everyone agreed.
Opposition to Hyeongjung Sect clearly existed.
One of those opponents, Jang Il-su, spoke up.
“And what of those who do not wish to join this alliance?”
“If someone refuses, does that not mean they intend to stand with the evil sects? We are not so soft-hearted as to tolerate those who side with our enemies.”
In effect, anyone who refused would become an enemy of all.
Jang Il-su and the other leaders opposed to Hyeongjung Sect immediately protested.
“That's no different from forcing people into the alliance!”
“How can you handle such a major matter so recklessly? And through coercion no less!”
The Sect Master chuckled coldly while turning his wine cup between his fingers.
“Then simply join. Hyeongjung Sect is stepping forward for the greater good. Anyone who rejects that is little different from the evil sects themselves.”
“What absurd logic!”
The Sect Master had no intention of listening to further objections.
He clapped his hands.
Four swordsmen immediately appeared.
The elite masters representing Hyeongjung Sect.
The Four Swords of Hyeongjung.
The eldest among them, a man known as Secret Sword, carried a document in his hand.
“Sign it.”
The Sect Master slowly surveyed the room.
“If you refuse to join the alliance, be prepared to oppose us starting tomorrow.”
“Outrageous! What kind of lawless behavior is this?”
“The greater good requires decisiveness.”
At that moment—
Someone suddenly stepped into the center of the banquet hall.
It was Namgung Jun.
“How laughable. Is this petty coercion truly the best an orthodox sect can manage?”
“Who is that?”
“What does this brat know to be speaking so boldly?”
Namgung Jun removed the black outer robe draped over his shoulders and tossed it aside.
The blue martial uniform beneath shone brilliantly.
Two white clouds were embroidered on the sleeves.
The moment the Sect Master recognized the attire of Changcheonhoe, his eyes widened.
“Why is Changcheonhoe here?”
His surprise lasted only a moment.
The Sect Master quickly regained his composure and scolded him.
“You brat! Do you even know where you are, barging forward so recklessly?”
“Was this not a gathering to discuss Hyeongjung Sect's so-called greater cause?”
“This insolent whelp...!”
Crack!
The Sect Master's grip tightened.
The wine cup in his hand shattered.
As the Sect Master trailed off, Namgung Jun drew his sword together with its scabbard and drove it into the floor of the banquet hall.
Thud!
“Hyeongjung Sect Master. Does Hyeongjung Sect truly possess the right to speak of righteousness?”
“By what authority do you utter such nonsense?”
Namgung Jun reached into his robes and produced a ledger.
“This contains records of the dirty work you commissioned to evil sect martial artists, wandering swordsmen, and men like Blood-Bead Sword.”
Opening the ledger, he spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear.
“Hoyeon Gang, Muksan Iron Workshop, Jangrim Escort Agency, Museong Martial Hall, Jincheong Sect, and the Yeongjun Merchant Company. You've been quite busy.”
Geo Jeong-do had dug deep into Hefei's wandering martial artist circles and obtained the list of commissions.
Jang Il-su had successfully traced the banknotes and cross-verified the transactions.
The ledger in Namgung Jun's hand was evidence born from the cooperation of the two middle-aged men.
“Hyeongjung Sect Master! Is what this boy says true?”
“I had my suspicions, but I never imagined an orthodox sect would stoop this low!”
The leaders of the organizations Namgung Jun had named immediately voiced their outrage.
Yet the Sect Master paid them no attention.
His burning gaze remained fixed solely upon Namgung Jun.
So he came here knowing everything.
Even so, I can't simply silence him now. There are too many witnesses, and Changcheonhoe already knows.
If he killed Namgung Jun recklessly, a higher-ranking hero from Changcheonhoe would likely arrive afterward.
The best option was to settle the matter at the level of this young swordsman with only two clouds on his sleeves.
The Sect Master forced a calm smile.
“What is it that you want?”
“The restoration of what is right. And the closure of Hyeongjung Sect.”
“Let us discuss this first. There appears to be some misunderstanding.”
Boom!
Namgung Jun struck the floor again with his sheathed sword.
“The clearest language for martial artists is martial strength itself, is it not?”
After a moment of thought, the Sect Master made a proposal.
“Then let us do this. We will settle the matter through a martial duel. The losing side will accept the victor's demands.”
Namgung Jun nodded.
The Sect Master immediately gestured with his fingers.
The Four Swords of Hyeongjung, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.
“Guh...”
“Hyeongjung Sect shall field the Four Swords. What of your side?”
If four fighters entered the duel, it was only proper that four should oppose them.
Yet Namgung Jun had no companions.
The Sect Master had already seen through the situation and knew that Namgung Jun was the only representative of Changcheonhoe present.
His intention was simple.
Use the duel as an excuse to drive Namgung Jun away.
I only need to survive today.
If he could force Namgung Jun out, Changcheonhoe would no longer be confronting Hyeongjung Sect alone.
Instead, they would face the newly proposed alliance of Hefei's orthodox sects.
At that point, even Changcheonhoe would find it difficult to act against them openly.
But Namgung Jun's answer shattered the Sect Master's expectations.
“I will fight alone.”
Clang!
The sword of Hyeongjung's Second Sword split apart diagonally.
Only seven exchanges had passed.
Hyeongjung Second Sword stared blankly at the blade resting against his throat.
Meanwhile, the Third Sword and Fourth Sword had already suffered the same fate.
Their swords had been shattered.
They had poured every ounce of internal energy into their weapons, hoping to prevent that outcome.
It had changed nothing.
That brat's sword is this heavy...?
For a moment, the Second Sword found himself admiring Namgung Jun's sword force.
Then reality returned.
Only one member of the Four Swords remained.
The First Sword.
If even he lost, Hyeongjung Sect's grand scheme would suffer a devastating blow.
That could not be allowed.
“Hah...”
“The Four Swords of Hyeongjung were defeated this easily?”
“No. Their leader, the First Sword, still remains.”
When the duel had begun, most of the audience had merely wondered how long Namgung Jun could survive.
Now the hall had fallen silent.
He had utterly dismantled the Four Swords.
Only those factions opposed to Hyeongjung Sect struggled to conceal their delight.
Ah... Young Hero Namgung!
Jang Il-su's heart pounded.
He had known Namgung Jun was extraordinary for his age.
He had never imagined this level of ability.
The Four Swords are respected throughout all of Hefei!
Namgung Jun was effectively standing alone against the ambitions of Hyeongjung Sect.
Jang Il-su waited anxiously for the final duel to begin.
***
Unlike Jang Il-su's bright expression, the Sect Master's face had darkened completely.
At this rate, everything will fall apart.
Backed into a corner, only one solution remained.
He had tried to avoid it.
That was why he had steered the situation toward formal duels.
But now there was no other choice.
Everything is already doomed if this continues. Then I might as well...
With nothing left to lose, the Sect Master beckoned the First Sword.
“First Sword.”
“Yes, Sect Master.”
The two exchanged a brief transmission of sound.
Only afterward did the First Sword step onto the platform.
Namgung Jun watched the exchange carefully.
Soon, the final duel began.
Namgung Jun versus Hyeongjung First Sword.
Namgung Jun raised his sword and offered the minimum courtesy expected between swordsmen.
The First Sword merely adopted his stance with a grim expression.
The two examined one another with sharp eyes.
The instant their gazes met—
Both charged simultaneously.
Neither intended to hold back.
Clang!
The two swords crossed diagonally and began forcing against one another.
“Ugh!”
The First Sword nearly lost his grip.
Tightening his hold, he drew out every ounce of strength he possessed.
Now he understood why his three sworn brothers had been defeated so helplessly.
The pressure emanating from Namgung Jun's sword was terrifying.
If the duel proceeded normally, he was certain he would lose.
But he wasn't worried.
All he had to do was carry out the Sect Master's orders.
Woooong!
The First Sword pushed forward and poured internal energy into his blade.
His qi traveled along the sword and spread directly into Namgung Jun's weapon.
Namgung Jun's eyes narrowed.
Trying to force an internal energy contest? No...
His gaze shifted beyond the First Sword.
At that very moment—
As the First Sword occupied him with the clash of internal energies, several figures launched themselves onto the platform from both sides.
The auras they released revealed them to be Peak Realm masters.
And among them was the very man who had proposed the duel.
The Sect Master of Hyeongjung Sect.
“You naïve fool!”
The Sect Master's mocking voice cut toward Namgung Jun's neck like a blade.
Yet Namgung Jun's breathing remained completely calm.
Within his clear eyes, blue lightning began to gather.
And the crackling glow of thunder slowly awakened.