Chapter 84 : Supporting the Anqing Branch (4)
Chapter 84: Supporting the Anqing Branch (4)
A sword strike that severed the Commander of Fifty's head in a single stroke.
It was the sword that signaled the end of the battlefield.
“Huff! The Commander of Fifty!”
“Everyone, get a grip!”
The Commander of Fifty's head flew off, and the five Commanders of Ten under his command reacted immediately.
The Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron War Camp.
Both sides had lost the head responsible for commanding them. Even so, they did not flee so easily and instead stubbornly clung on to hinder the Heavenly Sword Hall.
It was the spirit befitting martial artists of great sects.
However, there was a clear physical limit to carrying on a battlefield through nothing but determination and grit.
“The Commander of Fifty is dead!”
As Namgung Jun cut down the backs of the Iron War Camp martial artists from the inside, he infused his voice with internal energy.
It was to inform even those Iron War Camp martial artists who had failed to notice the Commander of Fifty's death because they were focused on the battle.
“Is that really true?”
“No way! How could the Commander of Fifty suddenly...?”
The Iron War Camp martial artists who had been confronting the Grand Flame Sword Formation on the front lines were visibly shaken.
The Heavenly Sword Hall's sword strikes were flying right before their eyes, yet their attention was drawn behind them. There was no way they could respond properly.
The Heavenly Sword Hall, executing the Grand Flame Sword Formation, was never an opponent to be underestimated.
“You're distracted!”
“Now! Break through!”
The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall relentlessly exploited every opening in the Iron War Camp martial artists' defenses.
The shield wall that had always stood as firm as an iron fortress proved utterly helpless at this moment.
Booom!
The Heavenly Sword Hall's Grand Flame Sword Formation broke through the encirclement of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron War Camp before leaving the battlefield.
Stopping briefly at a secluded location, the Heavenly Sword Hall caught their breath and began reorganizing.
The Clouds of the Anqing Branch, who had done nothing but remain protected in the center of the Grand Flame Sword Formation, stared at the Heavenly Sword Hall martial artists with astonished expressions.
The Heavenly Sword Hall of the Ten Halls.
As an armed force composed of the Azure Sky Society's elite, it was only natural that their martial prowess differed.
Even so, witnessing them fight firsthand left them in awe.
‘The Heavenly Sword Hall. It truly lives up to its reputation.’
‘More importantly, the overall level of their swordsmen seems to have risen. It feels like the Grand Flame Sword Formation itself has changed.’
‘Changseong Sword, Namgung Jun. To possess such martial prowess at his age. Has the next Hall Master of the Heavenly Sword Hall already been decided?’
Most of the Clouds from the Anqing Branch looked toward Namgung Jun. Dan Sohye was no exception.
He had taken responsibility as the central pillar of the Grand Flame Sword Formation throughout the battle, then moved alone at the end to behead the Iron War Camp's Commander of Fifty.
It was an achievement she herself could never have imagined accomplishing.
‘How can someone become that strong?’
The more she thought about it, the greater the gap between herself and Namgung Jun seemed to become.
While Dan Sohye could not take her eyes off Namgung Jun, the Anqing Branch Master was handing a sheet of paper from his robes to Lee Se-ha.
“This information was the reason the Anqing Branch was destroyed?”
“Yes, Hall Master. This information was almost handed over to the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron War Camp, but we fortunately intercepted it midway. Though the branch was destroyed because of it.”
Lee Se-ha unfolded the paper and examined its contents.
“The hidden cave of the Jangcheon Cult.”
The paper marked the location of the hidden cave.
The Jangcheon Cult.
A great unorthodox sect that had ruled the Jiangxi Province region over a century ago.
It had been a gathering place for those who dreamed of immortality through all manner of forbidden arts and secret techniques, but in the end, it had collapsed.
Even so, they had left behind the martial arts they cultivated throughout the Gangho, and it appeared that the hidden cave sought by the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron War Camp was one of them.
“A hidden cave. Now I understand why those two forces suddenly joined hands.”
At Lee Se-ha's murmur, Namgung Jun, who had been listening beside her, nodded.
“If it is a hidden cave like this, people from all over the Gangho would flock to it. They joined hands in order to quietly absorb as much of the Jangcheon Cult's martial arts as possible.”
“That's very likely. They may oppose each other in every other respect, but they're the sort who can pretend to cooperate when there's enough profit in front of them.”
Heo Il stroked the edge of his bamboo hat.
“If this information falls into the hands of the Demonic Path, great chaos will follow. It was truly Heaven's blessing that it was protected instead of being taken.”
Lee Se-ha nodded.
“It isn't a complete map, only a fragment, but we've bought ourselves a great deal of time. The Anqing Branch has accomplished something remarkable.”
Lee Se-ha tucked the paper back into her robes before rising.
“Let's return quickly. They won't quietly watch us make our way back.”
---
The Heavenly Sword Hall safely escorted the Clouds of the Anqing Branch back to the main headquarters.
The Ink Scent Division focused its attention on Jiangxi Province based on the information the Anqing Branch had secured.
If it was the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron War Camp, they would relentlessly search until they uncovered the Jangcheon Cult's hidden cave.
If matters went wrong, a great bloodshed centered around that hidden cave might erupt.
Treasure maps, hidden caves, the tombs of peerless masters.
Things like these had always brought bloody storms upon the Gangho, so the Azure Sky Society intended to prevent it before it happened.
The surviving Clouds of the Anqing Branch would remain at the main headquarters for the time being to recover, then be dispatched once the establishment of a new branch was decided.
Perhaps because she did not know when she would next leave for the Gangho.
Dan Sohye came looking for Namgung Jun.
“Cross swords with me!”
Namgung Jun, who had been instructing the One-Clouds and Two-Clouds of the Heavenly Sword Hall, stared silently at Dan Sohye, who had suddenly appeared.
As Dan Sohye flinched beneath his indifferent gaze, Man Ye, who had been receiving instruction in the Heavy Sword from Namgung Jun, casually remarked,
“Namgung Jun is a Three-Cloud. Shouldn't you be speaking more respectfully? Even if you entered the Society together.”
Dan Sohye's eyes widened at Man Ye's pointed words, and she hurriedly continued.
“I wanted to know how much I've improved compared to the placement exam...”
As she spoke, Dan Sohye seemed to realize her mistake, and her voice trailed off.
Although Namgung Jun was younger than her, he undeniably held the rank of Three-Cloud.
On the other hand, she was still only a One-Cloud, so it was only proper that she spoke respectfully.
“Hmm.”
Namgung Jun did not bother to reprimand her over it.
Instead, he quietly observed the flustered Dan Sohye.
‘She said I was her first opponent during the placement exam.’
He had only learned that fact while returning after completing the mission in Jiangxi Province.
Had the Clouds of the Anqing Branch not told him, he might never have known.
‘Dan Sohye.’
His memories were vague now, but she still left little impression.
After all, he had ended their spar with a single sword.
Whether he could give the woman what she sought remained uncertain, but Namgung Jun did not mind.
If someone who held the sword properly dreamed of rising higher, then offering even a small measure of help was the proper way of the Gangho.
“Come this way.”
When Namgung Jun pointed toward the sparring platform, Dan Sohye brightened and picked up two wooden swords.
Seeing that, Namgung Jun shook his head.
“We'll spar with real swords.”
“Ah.”
Dan Sohye stopped in place, fiddled with the sword at her waist, then stepped forward with a determined expression.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jun stood at one side of the platform with his hand resting on the hilt.
“By my master's orders, I am responsible for instructing the swordsmanship of this hall. I cannot afford to waste time. This spar will be decided in a single exchange.”
“That's exactly what I wanted. Please show me the same single sword you used during the placement exam.”
With a resolute expression, Dan Sohye drew her sword.
Her face was filled with tension as she assumed her opening stance.
‘Can I withstand it this time?’
She had undoubtedly become much stronger compared to the placement exam.
Even so, she could not convince herself that she could endure the single sword Namgung Jun had shown back then.
It was both the goal she pursued and the heart demon that haunted her.
That was why she chose to face it head-on.
If it was a heart demon she would one day have to overcome, then rather than satisfying herself with assumptions, she wanted acknowledgment directly from the one who had wielded that sword.
Thud!
Stepping forward firmly, Namgung Jun advanced as smoothly as flowing water.
To Dan Sohye's eyes, Namgung Jun's figure blurred in an instant.
Forget the single sword—she was in a situation where she could not even properly react to his approach.
Even so, Dan Sohye focused with every ounce of her concentration.
‘I can do this.’
A single defeat brought by a single sword.
Ever since the placement exam, it had remained a deep wound in her heart, tormenting her, yet Dan Sohye had never stopped.
She trained with unwavering dedication and never allowed herself to stagnate.
That was why she trusted the blood and sweat she had shed until now.
“Haa!”
With a shout, Dan Sohye unleashed a sword strike that traced an elegant sword path.
At the same moment, a blue flash suddenly blossomed before her eyes, completely filling her vision.
Even so, Dan Sohye did not yield.
She tried to extend her sword path to the very end.
Pouring all of the frustration and regret she had felt back then, along with every bit of effort and dedication since, into that single sword.
Craaang!
With a tremendous explosion, Dan Sohye's body slid backward.
‘Gah!’
Yet Dan Sohye failed to realize she had been pushed back.
An overwhelming sword force spread through her body as though it would crush every inch of her.
For a moment, her vision seemed to flash pure white, but Dan Sohye struggled to remain conscious.
She could not even tell whether she was still standing.
Had she once again failed to withstand it, leaving her sword broken? Perhaps she had even fallen disgracefully to the ground.
“Young Lady Dan.”
Even amid her hazy consciousness, Namgung Jun's brief voice pierced through like a sword strike.
“Huff!”
Dan Sohye let out a deep breath as her senses returned.
Namgung Jun was standing far away.
Seeing that, she immediately understood the situation.
It was not that Namgung Jun had created the distance.
She herself had been pushed back that far.
The very first thing she checked after looking at Namgung Jun was her own sword.
“Ah!”
Dan Sohye let out an exclamation.
Just how heavy had that sword strike been?
Both of her palms had split open, blood pouring freely from them, and the sword blade was still trembling violently.
But one thing was certain.
The blade had not broken.
Even so, unable to believe it, Dan Sohye asked,
“Did I really withstand Young Hero Namgung's single sword? The same one from the placement exam?”
Namgung Jun glanced at his own sword hanging low before replying,
“You certainly did.”
Looking at Dan Sohye as her eyes gradually widened, he added,
“To be honest, I struck with a sword twice as powerful as the one I used during the placement exam. Even so, Young Lady Dan endured it.”
Namgung Jun smoothly sheathed his sword.
“You have undoubtedly grown, Young Lady Dan. Haven't you?”
Despite Namgung Jun's acknowledgment, Dan Sohye gave no reply.
She simply steadied her breathing before slowly sinking to the ground.
“Are you alright?”
Man Ye hurried onto the sparring platform and tried to support Dan Sohye.
But Dan Sohye shook her head and refused.
Then, supporting herself with her trembling legs, she forced herself back to her feet.
“My goal hasn't changed since the placement exam. To enter one of the Azure Sky Society's Ten Halls.”
With eyes that had become clearer than ever, Dan Sohye looked at Namgung Jun.
“I'll follow in Young Hero Namgung's footsteps. So that one day, I can stand behind you and draw my sword alongside you.”
The placement exam was not the only path into the Azure Sky Society's Ten Halls.
Clouds who distinguished themselves at branches established throughout the Gangho could receive recommendations and join one of the Ten Halls at the main headquarters. At times, the Hall Masters also held separate examinations to fill vacancies.
Having finally overcome the single sword from the placement exam, Dan Sohye established a new goal for herself here.
Her legs looked ready to give way at any moment, and both hands were covered in blood.
Even so, seeing Dan Sohye still gripping her sword with unwavering determination in her eyes, Namgung Jun nodded.
“Your sword was steadfast, Young Lady Dan. It is certainly possible.”
Namgung Jun sheathed his sword and offered her a respectful salute.
“I shall look forward to the day we stand side by side on the same battlefield.”
---
After finishing his spar with Dan Sohye and returning to his quarters, Namgung Jun found his path blocked by Lee Se-ha.
Lee Se-ha grabbed the sleeve of his robe and pulled him closer.
“Jun. Shall the two of us go on a nice little mission together?”
“A mission?”
“Yes. Hurry and come with me.”
Master and disciple left the main headquarters side by side.
New Terms/Characters Introduced
Jangcheon Cult : Jangcheon Cult (Organization, Unorthodox Sect)