Chapter 58

Journey Through the Jianghu (1)

Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong left the headquarters together.

They were heading out to attend the assembly. However, they were not traveling directly to Mount Song.

There was another mission to complete in a region along the way.

Since the Changcheon Society was always short-handed, it was quite common to handle multiple assignments at once.

The usual method was to assign a minor mission alongside a primary one.

"The sun is already setting."

"I can see an inn over there. Let's stay the night."

Namgung Jun readily nodded at Baekri Cheong's suggestion.

The inn was fairly crowded, and most of the patrons appeared to be martial artists.

The moment the two young talents entered, the gazes of everyone inside turned toward them.

There was a slightly unpleasant stickiness to those looks. They were far from friendly.

However, the two young swordsmen acted as though they noticed nothing and calmly found an empty table.

"Little Brother, it is an honor to be undertaking a mission with you."

"I should be the one saying that."

The two swordsmen looked at one another and smiled.

They had already crossed swords twice.

In a sense, they had shared long and meaningful conversations through their blades.

Though there had been little direct exchange of feelings, martial artists often spoke not with words, but with their swords.

As a result, there was no awkwardness between them, as though they had known each other for years.

"How is the atmosphere in the Heavenly Sword Hall?"

"It's good. I feel like everyone takes care of me because I'm the youngest."

"If someone as talented as you joined my hall, I'd probably do the same."

Namgung Jun smiled.

"Isn't it the same for Young Hero Baekri?"

"Hm. Of course, I received a warm welcome as well. I fought three sparring matches immediately after joining."

"So the Extreme Martial Hall is also eager for new recruits."

"Indeed. The Changcheon Society is always short of people. That is especially true when it comes to talented newcomers."

Suddenly, a middle-aged man seated nearby interrupted their conversation.

"Do you know why the Changcheon Society is particularly short-handed?"

Neither Namgung Jun nor Baekri Cheong responded, but the man continued regardless.

"It's partly because the Changcheon Society keeps sticking its nose into every matter and making things bigger than they need to be. But beyond that, there are many people who hold grudges against it."

The man glanced at the cloud insignias embroidered on their sleeves and gave a cold smile.

"The Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, the Eight Great Evils, even Orthodox sects. There are plenty of people who dislike the Changcheon Society. You preach chivalry and interfere in everyone's affairs. How annoying."

Baekri Cheong replied with an icy gaze.

"Judging by your tone, Senior seems to harbor quite a bit of resentment toward the Changcheon Society."

"Resentment? Of course I do. Three of my younger brothers were killed by the Iron Tower Hall Master."

Killing intent slowly began leaking from the man's eyes.

Namgung Jun, however, remained completely unconcerned.

"Young Hero Baekri. Do you know who he is?"

"Three younger brothers, and judging from his appearance... I believe he's the eldest of the Four Fiends of Daeil."

"The Four Fiends of Daeil."

"They were four villains responsible for countless atrocities. The Iron Tower Hall Master crushed their heads and killed them. However, he was never able to catch their leader."

The middle-aged man burst into laughter after hearing Baekri Cheong's explanation.

"That's right. I am Jeok Saryeong, leader of the Four Fiends of Daeil."

The moment Jeok Saryeong revealed his identity, several men around the inn rose to their feet.

They were the same people who had been watching the two swordsmen closely ever since they entered.

Though their numbers were not large, they had occupied positions in every direction, making escape difficult.

Setting down his teacup, Baekri Cheong looked at Jeok Saryeong.

"What a remarkable coincidence. Were you waiting for us?"

"How could I possibly have known you would pass through here? We met by chance."

Jeok Saryeong drew the saber hanging at his waist.

"Consider yourselves unlucky. Unlucky that you're members of the Changcheon Society. Unlucky that you're nothing more than Second Cloud brats."

A sinister aura erupted from Jeok Saryeong's body.

Judging by its murky color and violent fluctuations, he had clearly reached the peak of the Peak Realm.

He was unquestionably a master of a higher level.

Yet Baekri Cheong showed no sign of intimidation.

"Judging by the look on your face, if we had been Third Cloud martial artists, you would have simply walked away."

Namgung Jun, who was casually lifting a bowl of noodles to his mouth, added calmly,

"You really are nothing more than a coward who only draws his blade when he sees someone weaker than himself."

The relaxed attitude of the two young talents made Jeok Saryeong let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You little brats still don't understand your situation! Attack!"

At Jeok Saryeong's command, his subordinates drew their weapons.

Yet the first to move were Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.

Perhaps they were thinking the exact same thing.

Without exchanging a single word, both swordsmen moved simultaneously and charged straight at Jeok Saryeong.

There's no reason to play along with their numbers.

If we take Jeok Saryeong's head first, their coordinated attack will likely collapse.

Namgung Jun moved from the left.

Baekri Cheong moved from the right.

The corners of both swordsmen's lips curved into faint smiles as they unleashed sword strikes the moment they drew their blades.

They had instinctively realized how well their thoughts aligned.

"Impudent children! You have no shame!"

Jeok Saryeong widened his eyes and deflected the swords coming at him from different trajectories one after another.

These brats charged straight in without hesitation?

Normally, young martial artists would be flustered by such a sudden situation.

Yet these two showed none of that.

Instead, they reacted with the speed and composure of seasoned veterans.

Jeok Saryeong first smashed aside Namgung Jun's sword, which was aimed directly at his head.

KWAANG!

"Ghk!"

Jeok Saryeong's shoulder trembled violently after swinging his saber.

The weight behind the strike far exceeded his expectations, twisting his stance.

It felt as though he had blocked a full-powered attack from an expert of equal standing.

The moment Jeok Saryeong faltered, Baekri Cheong's thrust shot forward and pierced perfectly into the opening.

Startled, Jeok Saryeong hastily tilted his saber sideways.

But Baekri Cheong was no easy opponent either.

Taking advantage of the opening created by Namgung Jun, he pressed the attack even more aggressively.

The two had gained the initiative through their joint assault, yet they had not forgotten that Jeok Saryeong was a master of a higher realm.

That was why they unleashed their supreme techniques from the very beginning.

Jeok Saryeong retreated three full steps and frowned.

The two young talents gave him no chance to catch his breath, relentlessly closing the distance.

These brats dare!

Furthermore, it seemed they had already fought together enough to develop excellent coordination.

Their combined attacks meshed together perfectly.

Jeok Saryeong's breathing and movements gradually became more hurried.

"Help your leader already!"

"But we can't find an opening to get in!"

His subordinates could only stand there awkwardly, their expressions filled with frustration.

The two young swordsmen had completely glued themselves to Jeok Saryeong, pressing him so aggressively that the weaker subordinates could not intervene.

If Baekri Cheong displayed a stable and orthodox sword style, Namgung Jun created constant, dazzling changes from the flanks, throwing Jeok Saryeong's senses into disarray.

Illusion swords and transformation swords. They're the complete opposite of the White Virtue Sword Art. That makes them much harder to deal with.

Namgung Jun's judgment was correct.

The exquisitely intertwined sequence of their combined attacks left Jeok Saryeong confused.

The fact that his opponents were far younger only made it more unsettling.

These bastards aren't merely Second Cloud martial artists. Especially...

Jeok Saryeong's gaze locked onto Namgung Jun.

At first, he had been more wary of the slightly older Baekri Cheong.

After exchanging several moves, however, he realized that had been a mistake.

How can such a green youngster wield a sword like this?

Jeok Saryeong could tell.

It was not simply a matter of coordinating attacks.

Namgung Jun skillfully controlled and directed the entire flow of the battle.

At the same time, he somehow found the spare attention to intercept attacks aimed at Baekri Cheong.

Jeok Saryeong's emotions gradually moved beyond surprise and admiration.

He was beginning to feel fear.

A youth who had not yet reached twenty years of age.

If given more years to mature, what kind of sword would he wield?

Anyone who witnessed Namgung Jun's talent would inevitably ask themselves that question.

But Jeok Saryeong quickly regained his composure.

Now was not the time for such thoughts.

BOOM!

Stomping heavily onto the floor, Jeok Saryeong unleashed his internal energy without reservation and released a supreme technique.

Crimson saber energy tore through the inn's floorboards, ripping them apart as it surged in all directions.

Yet it failed to become a serious threat.

"Little Brother!"

"I know."

The two swords moved as harmoniously as though they belonged to a single swordsman.

Baekri Cheong directly suppressed the saber attacks aimed at vital points.

Meanwhile, Namgung Jun cut apart every one of Jeok Saryeong's attack paths with illusion swords and transformation swords that generated endless variations.

Throughout the exchange, both swordsmen found themselves impressed by the other.

This went beyond mere coordination.

Such teamwork was only possible if they thoroughly understood each other's martial arts and temperament.

To think we work together this well. He's looking at exactly the same openings I am. As expected of my little brother.

Outstanding. His skill has already reached this level.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Jeok Saryeong's supreme technique was repeatedly dismantled by the two swords.

As Baekri Cheong absorbed the brunt of the backlash, cold sweat formed on his brow.

"Little Brother!"

Before Baekri Cheong could finish speaking, Namgung Jun had already moved.

Half a beat faster.

Using the profound movement art of the Heavenly Lord's Divine Step, he advanced straight forward.

Countless azure flashes blossomed from his sword.

Sshhk!

A strangely twisting blue sword strike sliced across Jeok Saryeong's shoulder.

Blood erupted alongside a burning pain.

It was a clean hit.

If this continued, blood loss alone would become life-threatening.

Jeok Saryeong shouted desperately.

"What are you idiots staring at?!"

Yet even at his roar, the subordinates could not intervene.

The violent sword winds surging from Namgung Jun's blade prevented them.

Namgung Jun was using the sword wind of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art like a curtain.

The men could only stamp their feet helplessly.

"You crafty little bastard!"

BOOM!

With a powerful strike delivered alongside a forceful step, Jeok Saryeong knocked Baekri Cheong away.

Then he violently twisted his waist and brought his saber crashing down toward Namgung Jun's shoulder.

Before Baekri Cheong could close the distance again, he intended to kill Namgung Jun—or at least inflict a fatal wound.

This was no longer an attack aimed at victory.

It was a desperate strike for survival.

As if proving that fact, Jeok Saryeong's eyes were completely filled with killing intent and battle lust.

Yet Namgung Jun showed no sign of retreating.

The angle of his raised arm suddenly changed.

His grip shifted as well.

The sword that had produced endless variations now rose diagonally from below, transforming into a streak of blue light.

A bold transition.

From illusion sword to fast sword.

Thirteen Flash Lightning Sword Strikes.

Twelfth Form: Eternal Lightning Ascension.

The sword strike bent and twisted before soaring upward in reverse, instantly tearing through the air.

SLASH!

Jeok Saryeong retreated a step faster than expected, but he could not avoid having his chest cut open.

His flesh split apart, and the front of his robe was instantly dyed crimson.

At that very moment—

STAB!

A blade pierced through his chest and emerged diagonally from the front.

Baekri Cheong had driven his sword into Jeok Saryeong's back.

"To think I'd fall to a pair of brats—!"

He could not finish his sentence.

Namgung Jun twisted his sword and immediately severed his neck.

There was not the slightest hesitation in his movement.

"Gah!"

"The leader died that easily?!"

The subordinates could only stare in shock as Jeok Saryeong's headless body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

The two swordsmen exchanged a brief glance.

Then they shot off in different directions.

With Jeok Saryeong dead, all that remained was to clean up the survivors.

The very men who had surrounded them moments ago now found themselves fleeing while desperately trying to fend off the swords of the two young talents.

But neither swordsman allowed a single enemy to escape.

One Sword, One Kill.

Compared to Jeok Saryeong, his subordinates possessed insignificant martial skill.

They had merely been there to make up the numbers.

"Little Brother, did any get away?"

"None."

After eliminating the remnants, the two swordsmen compensated the innkeeper for the damage before leaving the inn.

"They say all sorts of things happen at inns, but I never expected we'd be attacked simply for being members of the Changcheon Society."

"Hm. It certainly demonstrates what those of the unorthodox and demonic paths think of the Changcheon Society. And I suspect some hypocritical Orthodox sects aren't much different."

Namgung Jun nodded.

"That only makes the importance of this assembly more apparent."

"Indeed. If we can secure the cooperation of the major sects scattered throughout the jianghu, it will be an enormous help."

Having easily dealt with the sudden daytime ambush, the two swordsmen immediately resumed their journey eastward.

The border of Henan Province was now close at hand.