Chapter 59

Journey Through the Jianghu (2)

Shangqiu, Henan Province.

Though Shangqiu lay in a remote corner of Henan, it possessed one advantage: it was located near the borders of Anhui and Shandong.

Because of this, merchants and trading caravans continued to pass through the city with steady regularity, even if their numbers were not particularly large.

Even so, Shangqiu was not a prosperous region.

Most days passed quietly and without incident.

Recently, however, things had changed.

The reason was a heterodox sect known as the Jeongyeong Gang, which had been stirring up trouble throughout Shangqiu.

Originally, it had been an insignificant minor sect.

But a dramatic change had occurred in recent months.

The martial prowess of both its Gang Leader and members had risen sharply.

Rumors claimed that the Jeongyeong Gang had obtained a new martial art, though nothing had been confirmed.

What was certain was that the gang had become powerful enough that even the Suseong Gate could no longer deal with it casually.

"Haa... This is giving me a headache."

The Gate Master of Suseong Gate sighed as he thought about the Jeongyeong Gang's increasingly arrogant behavior.

At that moment, a disciple rushed in.

"Gate Master! The street thugs are causing trouble at Seohyeong Inn again. But this time the scale is unusual. They came in large numbers."

"Not a single day passes quietly."

His expression darkened.

"Have you sent disciples?"

"Yes. They should have arrived by now."

The Gate Master's sigh deepened.

Seohyeong Inn was one of the businesses under Suseong Gate's protection.

The Jeongyeong Gang had already monopolized most of Shangqiu's few profitable interests and had now begun coveting Suseong Gate's holdings as well.

The thugs currently causing trouble had undoubtedly been sent under orders from the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.

At this rate, Suseong Gate would slowly lose one source of income after another and eventually wither away.

A decision had to be made.

But direct conflict...

The Gate Master recalled his most recent meeting with the Jeongyeong Gang Leader and shook his head.

He was definitely weaker than me before. So how...

Things were different now.

He could not determine the man's exact level, but one thing was certain.

The Jeongyeong Gang Leader had become stronger than him.

Moreover, the gang possessed a considerable number of disciples.

The Gate Master could no longer convince himself that victory was possible.

CRAAASH!

A tremendous explosion echoed from outside.

The Gate Master immediately sprang to his feet and rushed outdoors.

The first thing he saw was the completely destroyed front gate.

Members of the Jeongyeong Gang were stepping over the shattered remains and crossing into Suseong Gate's grounds.

"It's the Jeongyeong Gang!"

"Damn it! Why now of all times?!"

"Those who went to Seohyeong Inn won't be back for a while!"

As he watched his panicking disciples, realization suddenly struck the Gate Master.

Wait... They never intended to target Seohyeong Inn! Their real target was the sect itself!

The timing of the Jeongyeong Gang's appearance was simply too perfect.

The disciples of Suseong Gate hurriedly rushed out to defend the entrance.

However, they were vastly outnumbered by the flood of Jeongyeong Gang members pouring through the gate.

"Jeongyeong Gang Leader! What is the meaning of this?!"

The Gate Master's furious shout did not draw the slightest reaction.

The Jeongyeong Gang Leader merely surveyed the grounds with an indifferent expression.

"Didn't I politely give you a choice? Join the Jeongyeong Gang... or leave Shangqiu."

"Our sect has put down roots in Shangqiu for three generations! Don't speak such nonsense!"

"Then there is no helping it. This is a small city. How many profitable interests can there possibly be? Why should two sects share them?"

Unlike the Gate Master, the Jeongyeong Gang Leader's smile was overflowing with confidence.

He had personally confirmed the difference in strength.

The leaders.

The disciples.

In every regard, the Jeongyeong Gang held the advantage.

Having no further reason to negotiate, he immediately gave the order.

"Destroy them!"

At the Gang Leader's shout, the Jeongyeong Gang disciples unsheathed their blades without hesitation.

"Do not fear them! Until recently, they were no different from common street thugs!"

The Gate Master's words were not entirely false.

While absorbing Shangqiu's criminal underworld, the Jeongyeong Gang had left some members in the back alleys and accepted others as disciples.

Most of those invading Suseong Gate today had originally been little more than street thugs.

"Charge!"

"Show them the power of properly learned martial arts!"

Filled with confidence in their superior individual skills, the disciples of Suseong Gate rushed forward without hesitation despite their numerical disadvantage.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Yet the atmosphere changed the instant weapons collided.

The Jeongyeong Gang disciples were far stronger than expected.

"Ghk!"

"How are they this strong already...?!"

The momentum Suseong Gate had initially enjoyed vanished instantly.

Before long, it was the Jeongyeong Gang that began overwhelming them.

And that wasn't all.

These techniques... I've never seen them before. Were the rumors true?

The Gate Master stared in shock at the martial arts being displayed by the Jeongyeong Gang disciples.

He could not identify the style.

However, he was certain it was not some cheap martial art that could be purchased in the marketplace.

"Damn it!"

Even as the situation deteriorated, the Gate Master could not personally intervene.

Three gang members had already stepped forward to block his path.

"Move!"

CLANG! CLANG!

"Haaah!"

Though the Gate Master had reached the First-Rate Realm, defeating all three opponents at once was far from easy.

One of them was First-Rate.

The other two were Second-Rate.

Rather than attacking freely, he had to devote himself to survival.

Then it happened.

A firm voice pierced through the chaotic sounds of battle and reached his ears.

"That's certainly not a martial art you'd expect to find in a third-rate heterodox sect."

"It feels like the spear techniques of the Changchang Sect slightly modified into sword and saber arts."

At some point, two outsiders had appeared within the battlefield.

Neat martial robes.

White cloud embroidery.

Only two people had arrived.

Yet the atmosphere of the entire battlefield changed instantly.

The first to react was the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.

"Changcheon Society!"

Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong did not respond.

They simply stepped forward and drew their swords.

Then the two swordsmen walked in different directions.

A resounding boom echoed across the battlefield.

Baekri Cheong moved to aid the overwhelmed disciples of Suseong Gate, while Namgung Jun plunged directly into the ranks of the Jeongyeong Gang.

CRACK!

BOOM!

THUD!

Explosions and impacts rang out from both sides simultaneously.

The two swordsmen fought in completely different styles.

Baekri Cheong displayed a solid, flawless sword style, intercepting every attack launched by the Jeongyeong Gang members.

Namgung Jun, on the other hand, unleashed a dazzling sword that continuously branched into countless variations, cutting down the charging enemies one after another.

Baekri Cheong held his position, protecting the disciples of Suseong Gate.

Namgung Jun had no need to do so.

"Ugh!"

"What is this brat?!"

"Help me!"

His steps never stopped.

His sword moved ceaselessly, releasing dozens of overlapping sword shadows.

A trail of blood followed wherever Namgung Jun walked.

There was no mercy in his blade when facing practitioners of the heterodox path.

Instead, only razor-sharp killing intent poured forth, turning the surrounding air itself into a deadly edge.

The momentum of the Jeongyeong Gang disciples, who had been enthusiastically overwhelming Suseong Gate moments ago, collapsed instantly.

Advancing with powerful steps, Namgung Jun charged straight toward the Jeongyeong Gang Leader.

This isn't a situation where I should fight!

After witnessing the movements of the two swordsmen—especially Namgung Jun's relentless sword that was steadily approaching him—the Jeongyeong Gang Leader swallowed nervously.

"Retreat!"

His judgment was remarkably quick.

The moment he withdrew, the Jeongyeong Gang disciples who had been fighting immediately turned around and fled in panic.

Neither Namgung Jun nor Baekri Cheong bothered to pursue them.

After all, they already knew where the Jeongyeong Gang was based.

Once the situation was settled, the two swordsmen respectfully greeted the Gate Master of Suseong Gate.

"I am Namgung Jun of the Second Cloud of the Changcheon Society."

"I am Baekri Cheong of the Second Cloud of the Changcheon Society."

The Gate Master bowed with a dazed expression.

"Thanks to you two young heroes, we have escaped disaster!"

After returning the courtesy, he carefully asked,

"What brings the two of you to our sect?"

"We came to investigate after confirming that the situation in Shangqiu was becoming unusual."

"I see. Please, come inside first."

***

After entering one of the halls, the two swordsmen explained the situation in detail.

"According to information gathered by our Society, one of the Eight Great Evils is backing the Jeongyeong Gang."

"The Eight Great Evils?!"

The Gate Master's eyes widened.

The name was completely unexpected.

When he failed to respond from shock, Namgung Jun calmly continued.

"You are familiar with the Chang Spear Sect, I assume."

"Of course."

The Chang Spear Sect was a major heterodox sect of Shandong Province whose members all specialized in spear techniques.

"The Chang Spear Sect is using the Jeongyeong Gang as a proxy in order to expand into Henan Province."

"Hmm... But is Shangqiu truly that important? Is there really a need for one of the Eight Great Evils to go this far?"

Namgung Jun shook his head.

"More precisely, they appear to be using Shangqiu as a foothold to seize the vast farmlands of the Henan Plains."

The Gate Master's expression stiffened.

The farmlands of the Henan Plains... That would explain everything.

Using the Jeongyeong Gang as a proxy rather than acting directly was likely intended to avoid drawing the attention of Shaolin as much as possible.

If the information provided by the Changcheon Society's chivalrous warriors was accurate, then the Chang Spear Sect would stop at nothing to take Shangqiu.

"What should I do?"

"For now, we will assist you. Afterward, it would be best to seek aid from Shaolin."

"Hm. Very well. I'll do that."

Sensing the man's concerns, Namgung Jun added,

"The Changcheon Society will have an opportunity to contact Shaolin separately. We will convey this matter as well."

"Ah... If you can do that, I would be extremely grateful, Young Hero."

Only then did the Gate Master finally appear relieved.

***

Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong were given accommodations in a separate residence prepared by Suseong Gate.

"Young Hero Baekri, you seemed somewhat different today."

"I suppose so. It must have been obvious if even you noticed."

"Yes. Was there a reason?"

After a brief pause, Baekri Cheong answered.

"I've experienced the destruction of my sect before. It doesn't feel like someone else's problem."

His gaze drifted toward the grounds of Suseong Gate outside the window.

If the two swordsmen had not arrived in time today, Suseong Gate might very well have been annihilated.

"I can't help but empathize. If there are places I can protect, I want to protect them."

Namgung Jun fell silent.

Though he did not show it outwardly, he too carried the pain of sect annihilation.

The fact that the faces of his dead disciples still appeared in his mind made that abundantly clear.

The destruction of one's sect...

Namgung Jun gripped the hilt of his sword.

Baekri Cheong was right.

Having joined the Changcheon Society, he should prevent others from suffering the same tragedy whenever possible.

Even if the enemy was not the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

This life was not meant to be lived solely for revenge.

It was a life meant to pursue chivalry, righteousness, and his own martial path.

"You're right, Young Hero Baekri. Even if it isn't part of the mission, we should help whenever we have the ability."

***

"So you failed and returned?"

The old man seated in the highest seat of the Jeongyeong Gang clicked his tongue.

"If I personally took action, I could destroy a sect of that caliber by myself. Do you know why I haven't?"

"Because your name must not spread throughout the jianghu, Senior."

"And knowing that, you still handled things this poorly?"

The Jeongyeong Gang disciples immediately fell silent under the old man's furious roar.

The old man glared at them with eyes overflowing with killing intent before finally rising to his feet.

"My original intention was merely to drive Suseong Gate away so the matter wouldn't grow too large."

He casually stroked the spear resting beside him.

"But that is no longer possible. Even the Changcheon Society has caught the scent. We must finish this quickly."

A cold smile spread across his face.

"Suseong Gate will be exterminated."

The disciples' eyes widened.

"Then that means—!"

"That's right. Kill every last witness. No one must be allowed to learn my identity."

The old man waved his hand.

Ten martial artists who had been waiting nearby immediately rose from their seats.

They were elite spearmen personally brought from the Chang Spear Sect.

"Gather every martial artist in the Jeongyeong Gang."

His hand settled upon his spear.

"We will march on Suseong Gate and burn it to the ground."

His voice grew colder.

"Not a single person is to survive."

"Yes, Senior."

At the command of the spear-wielding elder, the Jeongyeong Gang began to move.