Kang Sogun

In front of the main gate, Cheok Muryang, Hwang Uichae, and all the Fire Heaven Brigade members had gathered.

"What happened?"

"He asked to open the main gate and just left."

Cho Jihang said. His expression was dumbfounded, as if there was nothing more to add.

Clang!

"Aargh!"

The sound of weapons clashing and a scream were heard from far beyond the wall.

"The fight has begun."

A warrior who was watching from the watchtower shouted.

Yeon Seongyeol had no time to think deeply.

"Tell them to prepare for battle. And inform the Three Tigers of Shandong."

A drum sounded, and a few Fire Heaven Brigade members busily came and went.

In an instant, all the warriors of the Three Blade Sect had gathered in the training ground.

Even including the twenty-odd Fire Heaven Brigade members, there were less than fifty.

"Sect Master Yeon! What is it?"

The Three Tigers of Shandong came running with their weapons.

"Great Warrior Kang has left the manor."

"Left the manor?"

"He said he was leaving and went out alone, and it seems he is fighting the enemy."

Yeon Seongyeol quickly explained the situation to Jang Mugang and then ordered Cho Jihang.

"Cho Jihang! Open the main gate!"

Cho Jihang shouted to the warriors guarding the main gate.

"Open the main gate!"

Rumble. Creak.

The large main gate opened, and the situation outside came into view.

***

A field three hundred li away from the Three Blade Sect.

The Heavenly Martial Faction's Ghost Shadow Brigade and Heavenly Star Brigade were packing up their camp and preparing to depart.

The tent of the Heavenly Martial Faction's military strategist, the Divine Strategist Jo Gaeryang.

The Ghost Shadow Brigade Commander, Wu Cham, came in and reported directly.

"According to the scouts' report, there is nothing unusual. We will arrive at the Three Blade Sect at the fifth hour."

The Heavenly Martial Faction Master of the Four Great Powers of the world, Gu Yeongang, had personally set out.

When Gu Yeongang had said he would lead the expedition himself, the elders of the Heavenly Martial Faction had stepped up to stop him, so it had taken some time.

But once the order had fallen from the Heavenly Martial Faction Master's lips, it could not be reversed.

With Gu Yeongang's personal expedition, the Heavenly Martial Faction's brain, the Divine Strategist Jo Gaeryang, became busy.

Gu Yeongang had sent the Black Horse Brigade as an advance party and was personally leading the Ghost Shadow Brigade and the Heavenly Star Brigade.

To attack the Three Blade Sect, a not-so-large sect in Wuhan, four of the Heavenly Martial Faction's military brigades, the Heaven's Mandate Brigade, the Black Horse Brigade, the Ghost Shadow Brigade, and the Heavenly Star Brigade, had been deployed.

"Hmm. The enemy is said to be fifty. We will eat lunch with dry rations before arriving and attack as soon as we get there!"

Jo Gaeryang chose a swift and decisive battle.

The Three Blade Sect was not the problem. He didn't have to worry about the Yocheon Pavilion, whose leader had died, but he couldn't help but be concerned about the movements of the Great Righteous Martial School and the Dragon Slaying Society.

The Four Great Powers of the world had been checking each other in the dark for several years. If they showed a gap, they could be ambushed.

Three of the Heavenly Martial Faction's twelve military brigades were being led by the eldest young master, Gu Yangjo, to attack Guizhou.

Gu Yeongang had brought out four brigades to attack the Three Blade Sect, and the Dark Heaven Brigade was reorganizing after losing its first team leader, so the military force guarding the faction had to be considered as four brigades.

Although there were elders and protectors, Jo Gaeryang was worried just in case.

According to what Jo Gaeryang had found out, if they just eliminated Yeon Seongyeol, his two sworn brothers, the Three Tigers of Shandong, and the nameless young master, they could immediately take over the Three Blade Sect.

If they annexed the Three Blade Sect, the Heavenly Martial Faction could advance to the Yangtze River through Wuhan. The commercial rights of the Three Blade Sect would be the foundation for that, and then they would be able to expand their power twice as much as now.

'If we take Wuhan, the unification of the martial world is not an impossible task!'

A flash of light passed deep in Jo Gaeryang's eyes.

***

Wu Wonsong shot up and slashed his crescent moon saber diagonally.

Kang Sogun soared high into the air, somersaulted, and thrust his spear down at the head of Wu Wonsong, who was shooting up.

Swish!

Wu Wonsong kicked the horse's back, turned his body, and tried to cut Kang Sogun's waist with the same momentum as he had swept up his crescent moon saber.

Swish!

Kang Sogun's spear rotated, deflected the crescent moon saber, and embedded itself in Wu Wonsong's side.

Crack!

Wu Wonsong's eyes widened.

His lower left rib was shattered.

Wu Wonsong fell from the air with terrible pain.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

A groan burst out with the impact.

The nearly thirty years it had taken to obtain the nickname 'Unarmed Saber Dragon' flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

Countless people had shed blood under his crescent moon saber.

'Is it my turn today?'

If you meet someone stronger, you have to give up your life.

That was the fate of a man who held a sword.

"Commander!"

"Save the commander!"

The Heaven's Mandate Brigade team leaders all rushed in at once.

Three people swung their swords at Kang Sogun, and two pulled out Wu Wonsong, who had been hit by the spear and had fallen.

Following them, the Heaven's Mandate Brigade members rushed in.

A chaotic battle ensued.

Rumble!

It was then that the huge main gate of the Three Blade Sect opened.

"Ah...!"

"..."

Yeon Seongyeol and the others' mouths fell open at the tragic scene unfolding outside the manor.

Everyone was at a loss for words.

Was this how Zhao Zilong was when he stirred up Cao Cao's army of a million?

Kang Sogun swung a spear like a madman and ran through the Heaven's Mandate Brigade members as if it were an unmanned territory.

Slice!

Every time Kang Sogun's spear moved, an Heaven's Mandate Brigade member's neck was cut or his chest was pierced, and he fell.

Kang Sogun's spear had no hesitation. Those in the spear's domain shed blood without exception.

It was a desolate day in late autumn.

The fallen leaves on the ground were swept up by the spear's momentum, swirled, and then scattered in the wind, making it even more chaotic.

Wherever Kang Sogun went, the formation of the Heaven's Mandate Brigade members would collapse.

"Maintain the formation!"

The Heaven's Mandate Brigade team leaders relentlessly urged and aimed for Kang Sogun, but there was no one who could get within ten feet.

"That's not a battle, it's a massacre."

Sim Mabaek clicked his tongue.

Sim Mabaek also used a spear.

A realm that every martial artist who uses a spear dreams of at least once.

It was as if Kang Sogun were showing Sim Mabaek that this was that realm.

"It's embarrassing to step up to help."

Cheok Muryang said.

The Heaven's Mandate Brigade, seeing that Wu Wonsong was defeated and they were being pushed back helplessly, sent a distress signal and gathered the members who were ambushing around the Three Blade Sect.

"Hold on for just a quarter of an hour! The Black Horse Brigade is coming. Kuh!"

A spear was embedded in the neck of an Heaven's Mandate Brigade team leader who was riding a horse and relentlessly urging the members.

Thud!

The instantly killed team leader rolled powerlessly from his horse. Kang Sogun got on that horse.

"Hiyah!"

Kang Sogun pulled the reins and ran.

"Catch him!"

Another team leader shouted, but no one chased.

No, they couldn't chase.

It was not a long time, but to the Heaven's Mandate Brigade members, it was hell itself and felt as long as eternity.

There were already dozens of bodies rolling on the ground.

Even the commander, Wu Wonsong, was seriously injured and hovering between life and death.

As the Heaven's Mandate Brigade members stood in a daze, a group of people walked out from the Three Blade Sect.

The first team leader, the Nine Flowers Demonic Sword Jo Jeongpyeong, who was taking the place of the commander in case of an emergency, stepped forward.

"It's been a while."

Jo Jeongpyeong had almost died when he had met Yeon Seongyeol and the Fire Heaven Brigade just before catching the Three Tigers of Shandong. He had barely escaped, but the wound he had received on his side at that time still throbbed.

"You must have come knowing that the Heaven's Mandate Brigade's situation is difficult?"

Jo Jeongpyeong criticized the opponent for threatening them when they were in a difficult situation.

Jo Jeongpyeong, while inwardly planning to retreat, first tried to seize the moral high ground.

If the Three Blade Sect drew their sabers now, the remaining forces of the Heaven's Mandate Brigade would not be able to handle it.

It would be the day the name of the Heaven's Mandate Brigade disappeared.

"How ridiculous. Is the Heavenly Martial Faction trying to discuss the righteousness of the martial world now?"

Yeon Seongyeol answered coldly.

If it were only for his own safety, he would not push an enemy who was in a crisis.

But now, the lives of his daughter, sworn brothers, and subordinates were at stake.

"I'll give you a quarter of an hour! Retreat!"

Yeon Seongyeol said.

Jo Jeongpyeong glared at Yeon Seongyeol and the others and then turned around.

"Heaven's Mandate Brigade, retreat!"

Yeon Seongyeol thought that a god-given opportunity had come.

He ordered Cho Jihang.

"Cho Jihang! Have the Fire Heaven Brigade and the disciples prepare to leave the manor. They must pack as lightly as possible. There is no time."

He immediately cupped his fists in a salute to the Three Tigers of Shandong.

"Great Warrior Jang. I entrust the lineage of the Yeon family to you."

Jang Mugang nodded with a grave face. It was because he knew what Yeon Seongyeol was thinking.

Jang Mugang said with a resolute expression.

"The righteousness of the three brothers of the Three Blade Sect will remain for a thousand autumns. Do not worry about the future. The Three Tigers of Shandong will risk their lives."

Jungrang and Yeon Hwasim also came, prepared to leave.

Yeon Hwasim was dressed as a man again this time.

"Father?"

Yeon Hwasim was puzzled to see that Yeon Seongyeol had no preparations.

"Come here."

When Yeon Seongyeol called, Yeon Hwasim approached.

"When you go to Fujian, forget the martial world."

Yeon Seongyeol said and then, like lightning, he pressed Yeon Hwasim's Ma acupoint.

"Ah! Sect Master!"

Jungrang was startled and shouted.

Yeon Hwasim's eyes widened, but Yeon Seongyeol immediately pressed her Xue acupoint as well.

Yeon Seongyeol handed the collapsed Yeon Hwasim to Jungrang and said.

"We have to race against time now. We can't miss this opportunity with a useless argument."

At Yeon Seongyeol's stern command, Cho Jihang and Jungrang could not disobey.

Jungrang held Yeon Hwasim and got on a horse.

"Sect Master! I will be waiting!"

Cho Jihang also got on his horse, shedding tears.

"Jihang!"

Yeon Seongyeol called Cho Jihang's name. Cho Jihang was startled. Yeon Seongyeol took out the secret manual of the Heaven Returning Twelve Sabers from his bosom and handed it to him.

"You are the one to continue the lineage of the Heaven Returning Twelve Sabers!"

"Sect Master!"

"Call me that again."

To Cho Jihang, Yeon Seongyeol was like a master. Although they had not held a ceremony to become master and disciple, Yeon Seongyeol had considered Cho Jihang as his disciple, and Cho Jihang had considered him as his master.

"Master!"

"Alright!"

Yeon Seongyeol smiled with satisfaction.

The Three Tigers of Shandong, on horseback, once again cupped their fists in a salute to the three brothers of the Three Blade Sect.

"Please take care of yourselves, and I hope to see you again."

As soon as Jang Mugang finished speaking, he pulled the reins.

Neigh.

The horse neighed loudly and shot out like an arrow.

Behind him, Sim Mabaek and Wi Eunghwan followed, and Jungrang ran, holding Yeon Hwasim.

"Let's go!"

When Cho Jihang shouted, the Fire Heaven Brigade and the disciples of the Three Blade Sect gritted their teeth and struck the horses' buttocks.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

With the sound of horse hooves that shook the earth, the disciples of the Three Blade Sect disappeared.

Yeon Seongyeol closed the main gate of the Three Blade Sect.

"Let's have a drink."

Yeon Seongyeol brought out his cherished alcohol.

The late autumn sun shone down on the empty training ground.

Yeon Seongyeol's face looked relieved as he sat on the main hall, tilted his wine cup, and looked out at the training ground.

"Now I can finally face the enemy with a peaceful mind!"

Cheok Muryang nodded and then suddenly smiled.

"I remember the day we first met."

"Hahaha. I was also thinking about that time."

Hwang Uichae laughed loudly and took Cheok Muryang's words.

Yeon Seongyeol also recalled the past.

Bandits in the mountains north of Wuhan had harmed the common people.

Yeon Seongyeol, who was passing by, had seen the atrocities committed by the bandits, had become greatly enraged, and had climbed the mountain alone.

He was fighting a bloody battle with about twenty bandits alone when Cheok Muryang happened to storm the bandits' den.

"And then you came."

Cheok Muryang said as he looked at Hwang Uichae.

"At that time, I was full of vigor and was not afraid of anything. I wouldn't be able to do it now even if you told me to."

Even though they did not know each other, the three hit it off because of the connection of having stormed the mountain fortress alone and became sworn brothers.

"If it weren't for you, I probably would have died in that mountain fortress."

"It would have been the same for me. Who would have thought that those bastards would be so strong?"

He had thought they were just ordinary bandits, but unexpectedly, there were many who had learned martial arts, and their numbers were twice as many as known.

The three were able to wipe out all the bandits after a fierce and difficult battle.

Looking back on that incident again, he was filled with new emotions.

Cheok Muryang gulped down his wine and said coolly.

"If you think about it that way, if even one of us three brothers had not been there that day, we all would have died."

Yeon Seongyeol received Cheok Muryang's words with a calm smile.

"You could say that we each owe each other our lives."

Hwang Uichae suddenly stood up from his seat, poured wine into Yeon Seongyeol's and Cheok Muryang's cups, and proposed a toast.

"So even if we die together today, we have no regrets."

At Hwang Uichae's words, everyone became solemn.

The three all stood up and made a toast.

(End of Chapter)