Chapter 40
First Solo Mission (5)
The Sect Master's sword thrust in from the left.
At the same time, from the right, a middle-aged fist master stomped forward with explosive force and charged.
The way the two attacked in perfect synchronization, targeting the same breath, made it seem as though they had coordinated beforehand through voice transmission.
Mountain-Crushing Fist Hall Master, Tongsan Fist
Namgung Jun immediately identified the man.
During his investigation of Hefei, he had already gathered information not only on the sects allied with Hyeongjung Sect but also on their notable experts.
As expected. So this is the route they've chosen.
Despite the sudden combined assault, Namgung Jun remained calm.
He tilted his sword and shifted his grip, sliding his thumb and forefinger higher up the hilt.
At the same time, he operated his internal energy in short, explosive bursts, generating sword qi in rapid succession.
Five streaks of azure sword qi rose one after another.
The sight resembled five bolts of lightning writhing across the sky.
ZZZAAANG!
The technique, blending sword skill and sword qi into one, instantly broke apart the First Sword's attempt to force an internal-energy contest.
“Kuugh!”
Not only did his own internal energy rebound upon him, but Namgung Jun's lightning qi surged back as well.
The First Sword immediately coughed blood and tumbled across the platform.
The way he continued vomiting dark blood made it obvious he had suffered severe internal injuries.
Having defeated the First Sword in a single exchange, Namgung Jun's eyes swept to both sides.
Swoosh!
At that very moment, the Sect Master's sword aimed for his neck from the left while Tongsan Fist's strike targeted his ribs from the right.
Explosions of force erupted on both sides of him.
The sword stretched horizontally across his shoulder line and knocked away the Sect Master's blade.
At the same time, he received Tongsan Fist's hammer-like punch with his palm.
The floor beneath him cracked violently.
After all, he was simultaneously receiving attacks from two Peak Realm masters.
Yet Namgung Jun endured the pressure from both directions and maintained his stance.
It was thanks to the physical conditioning he had undergone at the Iron Tower Hall.
His body had become incomparably stronger than before.
“This brat!”
“How did he stop my punch so easily?!”
As the Sect Master and Tongsan Fist cried out in shock, Namgung Jun asked quietly,
“So in the end, you've chosen murder and silence?”
“A martial artist dying away from home is hardly uncommon. Especially a self-righteous hero who sticks his nose into everyone else's affairs!”
“You'll pay the price for relying on your meager skills and acting so arrogantly!”
Both Peak Realm masters drew upon even more internal energy.
Their caution toward Namgung Jun had grown considerably.
Clang!
Boom!
As Namgung Jun's sword collided with the Sect Master's once more, Tongsan Fist stomped down, intending to crush Namgung Jun's right foot.
The cooperation between the two masters was impressive.
With only brief exchanges of glances, they naturally attacked from complementary angles.
Even so, Namgung Jun's eyes did not waver.
Only the sleeves of his blue robe fluttered.
The gently swaying cloth suddenly rose and traced a graceful arc.
Cloud-Wrapping Wall Stance
His sword path, embracing the clouds, tilted smoothly and redirected the Sect Master's blade.
Using the momentum, Namgung Jun spun his entire body.
His feet blurred.
By the narrowest margin, he avoided Tongsan Fist's stomping strike.
In a single movement, he slipped to the side and escaped the ideal range of their combined attack.
Both masters immediately pursued.
But Namgung Jun was faster by half a breath.
As he moved, he raised his sword high overhead.
The blade slashed diagonally downward.
Heavenly Wind Sword Art.
Brilliant azure sword winds exploded outward.
WHOOOOM!
The heavy sword winds crashed into the two Peak Realm masters.
Both men were driven backward.
Originally, they had intended to tear through the sword wind and continue advancing.
Yet its power far exceeded expectations.
Had they not hurriedly unleashed techniques of their own to counter it, they would have been blown completely off the platform.
“Hmph.”
“Hu...”
The Sect Master's expression revealed genuine alarm.
Tongsan Fist steadied his breathing, but could not hide the uncertainty in his eyes.
The two attempted to readjust their distance.
Namgung Jun gave them no opportunity.
Stepping forward with Boundless Steps, he seized the initiative.
His first target was Tongsan Fist.
He intentionally shortened the distance, luring the fist master into complacency.
“You insolent brat!”
The moment ideal striking range presented itself, Tongsan Fist attacked without hesitation.
His fist shot toward Namgung Jun's dantian.
Namgung Jun's eyes gleamed with blue light.
He had completely read the flow of Tongsan Fist's technique.
Using his shortened grip, he pressed down lightly on the incoming fist.
How did he redirect my punch?!
Tongsan Fist's eyes widened in panic as his chest opened.
At that instant, Namgung Jun's left hand rotated halfway.
Lightning struck.
Heavenly Thunder Palm Art
BOOOOM!
A brief peal of thunder exploded.
Tongsan Fist's massive body convulsed violently as though it were about to collapse.
He somehow remained standing.
Namgung Jun glanced at him.
Then he raised the edge of his sword from the side.
Slash!
Blood sprayed everywhere.
Tongsan Fist's severed left arm soared high into the air.
“AAAAARGH!”
Clutching the stump, Tongsan Fist collapsed to his knees.
At that very moment—
“You vicious fiend! Your methods are excessive!”
“Sect Master! I'll assist you!”
The Sect Master and the heavily injured First Sword, who had somehow forced himself back to his feet, unleashed killing techniques toward Namgung Jun without hesitation.
The situation had already escalated beyond recovery.
Their only remaining objective was simple.
No matter the cost—
They had to kill Namgung Jun.
The two swordsmen charged forward, radiating murderous intent.
Yet Namgung Jun showed no sign of retreating.
Three swords collided and intertwined.
Their sword paths tangled chaotically as each sought a fatal opening.
Ordinarily, the one facing a combined assault would be at a disadvantage.
Yet the side controlling the battle was Namgung Jun's sword, shining with brilliant blue light.
His sword speed was overwhelming.
The number of strikes he unleashed far exceeded the combined attacks of the two swordsmen.
As a result, it no longer resembled a two-against-one battle.
Instead, the two men were barely managing to fend off Namgung Jun's offensive together.
Every sharp clash of steel forced them another step backward.
How can his sword be this fast?
Who exactly is this monster?
Despite fighting side by side, the Sect Master and the First Sword felt as though they were being dragged deeper and deeper into an inescapable current.
Boom!
Even while facing a coordinated assault, Namgung Jun's gaze never wavered.
If anything, it seemed as though he had been waiting for this very moment.
He pressed forward relentlessly.
“You will not ruin everything!”
The Sect Master roared and unleashed a full-powered strike.
It never had a chance of reaching Namgung Jun.
Casually knocking the blade aside, Namgung Jun asked,
“With only this much strength, you dared speak of Hefei's greater good?”
“Do not speak of things you do not understand! Without Hyeongjung Sect, what do you think would become of Hefei? It is because of us that peace exists!”
The Sect Master's voice carried genuine conviction.
Seeing that twisted faith, Namgung Jun's brows rose sharply.
KANG!
Sparks erupted as he violently knocked away the First Sword's blade.
The First Sword immediately attempted to counterattack.
Namgung Jun's palm was faster.
“Guhk!”
A strike from the Heavenly Thunder Palm Art crushed into the First Sword's chest.
His body was sent flying.
This time, he never rose again.
Only one enemy remained.
Namgung Jun lowered his sword toward the only person still standing.
The Sect Master of Hyeongjung Sect.
“A Hyeongjung Sect that can be brought down by me alone is hardly the guardian of Hefei's peace.”
The sword pointed directly at him.
“If this is the peace you speak of, then I would rather take responsibility for Hefei myself.”
The declaration echoed throughout the hall.
He had overcome the combined assault of three Peak Realm masters.
His calm voice carried neither arrogance nor excitement.
Only certainty.
No one in the hall laughed.
No one dared.
The strength Namgung Jun had displayed gave weight to every word he spoke.
Only after taking five measured breaths did the Sect Master finally respond.
“You speak of protecting Hefei's peace?”
The claim was astonishing.
Outrageous, even.
Yet it could not be dismissed lightly.
Namgung Jun's martial prowess had already surpassed common sense.
His cultivation appeared to be only at the early Peak Realm.
Yet his swordsmanship and movement resembled that of a veteran master who had spent decades roaming the jianghu.
“No matter how strong you are, you're still a junior. How could you possibly preserve Hefei's stability—”
“Enough.”
Namgung Jun cut him off.
“That is no longer your concern.”
His blade descended.
It stopped beside the Sect Master's neck.
“What matters is this.”
“There is no longer a place for Hyeongjung Sect in Hefei.”
***
Watching the scene unfold before his eyes, Jang Il-su's mouth hung open.
He actually did it...?
It felt impossible.
When Namgung Jun had spoken of dealing with Hyeongjung Sect, Jang Il-su had assumed other heroes of Changcheonhoe would eventually appear.
Yet the boy had resolved everything alone.
He single-handedly pacified the turmoil of Hefei.
What a meteoric rise.
Jang Il-su's face brightened with joy.
Then his smile gradually faded.
The Sect Master's words were not entirely wrong.
If one were being honest, Hyeongjung Sect had served as a necessary evil.
Though they committed countless abuses, they also played an important role in restraining Hefei's evil sects.
If Hyeongjung Sect collapses...
Who would fill the void?
The evil sects of Hefei would not remain idle.
They would surely move to consume the power vacuum left behind.
And Namgung Jun could not remain in Hefei forever.
Many people in the hall were thinking the same thing.
Just then—
Namgung Jun sheathed his sword and respectfully saluted the assembled guests.
“Would everyone be willing to gather here again tomorrow?”
“I wish to discuss the future of Hefei.”
***
“Director, a letter from Namgung Jun.”
“Oh? It arrived sooner than expected.”
Yun Gyeongjong immediately opened the letter Kang Mong had delivered.
Ordinarily, correspondence arriving at Changcheonhoe headquarters would first be reviewed by the scholars of the Ink Fragrance Department and sorted according to importance.
Namgung Jun was an exception.
He was one of the few individuals whose reports Yun Gyeongjong personally reviewed.
“Hoh.”
At Changcheonhoe's headquarters, the letter Namgung Jun had sent finally arrived.
Kang Mong, who had personally brought it from the Information Pavilion, stood quietly before him.
After reading it, Yun Gyeongjong let out a brief sound of admiration.
He contemplated the contents for a moment before handing it to Kang Mong.
“What do you think?”
Unlike Yun Gyeongjong, Kang Mong frowned rather than admired it.
“Even if he was granted authority... this is rather excessive...”
“That is irrelevant. What matters is whether the proposal is reasonable.”
After another careful reading, Kang Mong slowly nodded.
“He prepared two plans depending on how events unfolded. Both are realistic. For someone with so little experience, his judgment is remarkably direct.”
“In your opinion, which situation is most likely?”
“According to his report, Hyeongjung Sect will never withdraw peacefully. The second plan—the one intended for direct conflict with the sect—is far more likely.”
Leaning back in his chair, Yun Gyeongjong smiled.
“I'm curious.”
“How he intends to deal with a mid-sized sect like Hyeongjung Sect entirely on his own.”
“You seem convinced he will succeed, Director.”
“Aren't you?”
Kang Mong glanced down at the letter and shook his head.
“The confidence in both his handwriting and his words is overwhelming.”
“Whatever method he intends to use, he clearly believes in it completely.”
After finishing his thoughts, Yun Gyeongjong picked up the brush he had set aside.
“This is something we would have had to implement eventually.”
“But Namgung Jun has opened the path for us.”
“There is no reason to refuse.”
“In that case...”
Yun Gyeongjong nodded.
“Proceed exactly as Namgung Jun proposed.”
A new order was issued from the Ink Fragrance Department.