Chapter 85 : Chapter 85
Chapter 085. General of the North
The General of the North is an arrogant madman who despises martial artists altogether and is an old fossil who drags time citing principles even in useless matters―
This much was the badmouthing about the General Dam Jeok-san heard from Un Wol-hyang on the way back to the Northern Branch.
“It seems like the first time I've seen you speak of someone like this, Martial Aunt. What kind of person is she exactly?”
“First time? Probably not. You chewed out the Castle Lord thoroughly too.”
At that question, Un Wol-hyang shrugged and spat out a statement like a thunderbolt bomb.
“That is...”
Dam Jeok-san stuttered, forgetting what to say.
The grudge and love-hate relationship between the Castle Lord and the Sword Venerable is difficult for an outsider to easily mention. Yet Un Wol-hyang spoke of him lightly as if it was nothing.
Is it a mechanism to cover too deep a wound, or composure she can show because she rose above the pain of those days? Dam Jeok-san suddenly became curious about it, but wasn't confident enough to dare judge.
“Speaking of that old hag, I should discuss her origin first. The General of the North has a very noble status.”
“A noble status...?”
Un Wol-hyang and Dam Jeok-san.
Although they are of different generations, they are both direct disciples of the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle. Meaning they have a status more noble than a prince of a small kingdom.
For the word 'noble' to come out of Un Wol-hyang's mouth―
“Is she perhaps a member of the Imperial Family?”
“Right, that old hag was born in the Jin Clan. She was even the only daughter of the Emperor before the previous one.”
She affirmed Dam Jeok-san's words without an inch of hesitation.
Even the moment she mentioned the surname of the current Imperial Family, a strange chill was felt. It was understandable. Inside the castle, the only ones welcoming the Imperial Family are the Eldest Young Master's faction backed by their power.
“Haha, she is indeed a noble person.”
Dam Jeok-san muttered, unable to hide his surprise.
If she was the only daughter of the Emperor before the previous one, it means she was once an Imperial Princess. Just throwing herself into the military must not have been an easy choice, but to even rise to the position of General.
Apart from Un Wol-hyang badmouthing her severely, she must be a formidable figure one can absolutely not take lightly.
“Perhaps because of that, she despises lowborns of the Martial Sovereign Castle like us very much. She probably won't believe a word of your story either, Martial Nephew.”
Perhaps reading Dam Jeok-san's mind, Un Wol-hyang said in a somewhat mischievous tone.
“So you deliberately caused a commotion like this?”
Dam Jeok-san could read his Martial Aunt's intention in those words.
She wanted him to clash with the General of the North.
“Yes. Given that old hag's temper, it wouldn't be strange if she drew her crescent blade abruptly and rushed at you.”
“.......”
“Don't worry. The General also knows how to discern right from wrong. So, she won't kill you. Although an arm or leg might get cut off.”
Un Wol-hyang said with a bright smile without a single speck.
No matter how you look at it, it seems like a joke, but words that also seem strangely true.
No, Dam Jeok-san realized looking at Un Wol-hyang's brightly shining pupils. That that was absolutely not a joke.
“You wish for me to grapple with the General of the North.”
He said, barely swallowing a sigh.
“Exactly! You should flatten that damn old hag's nose, Martial Nephew.”
Grin. Un Wol-hyang smiled dazzlingly beautifully.
Dam Jeok-san also knows. That what she wants is not a simple matter of just venting her frustration.
If he exchanges moves with the General of the North and shows an impressive appearance on the spot, Dam Jeok-san could become the core of the north in an instant.
Since she saw him holding out against the Sword Ghost and Wi Cheon-rak. She must have judged that dealing with the General for a moment is also sufficiently possible.
But it is not something easily achieved as said. Because it is hard for Dam Jeok-san to fully display his skills against a pure human.
However, the biggest problem is the Imperial Family's martial arts.
'The Imperial Family's martial arts are said to be different in nature from those of the military.'
The Imperial Family is a breed that is warier of humans than monsters. Since they are exposed to assassination threats as naturally as breathing, it is natural if you call it natural.
So their martial arts are also mostly techniques for man-to-man combat. Of course, since the General has been in the military for a long time, that color must have faded, but the root wouldn't have changed.
“I want to know a bit about the General of the North.”
Dam Jeok-san said looking at the Sword Venerable.
“To be precise, about the way she fights.”
“Of course! I also exchanged moves with that old hag a few times in the past.”
She continued, grinding her teeth. Words close to an excuse that she couldn't win because she was an Ultra-Peak master at the time, but put up a good fight.
“That is surprising.”
But Dam Jeok-san had no choice but to be surprised at her words. To think she thought of challenging the General, the supreme commander of the Northern Imperial Army and an Entering Transformation Realm master, since she was an Ultra-Peak master.
'...Although she won't like it, she is indeed Master's fellow disciple.'
The story of the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle's younger days remaining like a heroic tale was also quite similar to hers. However, Dam Jeok-san's thoughts did not reach the point that he was not much different from them either.
“The weapon the General mainly uses on the battlefield is the crescent blade. As befitting someone who has been in the military for a long time, she is skilled in handling most weapons besides that, but that old hag's real weapon is her body.”
Un Wol-hyang said with shining eyes.
“Her body?”
“Yes. Hand-to-hand combat using fists, palms, fingers, and legs is basic, and she uses her whole body like a weapon including shoulders and head. It was body arts comparable to the warrior monks of Shaolin.”
“Warrior monks of Shaolin...”
“It's just my hunch, but it seemed some of Shaolin's Seventy-Two Supreme Arts flowed into the Imperial Family.”
At those words, the wariness lingering in Dam Jeok-san's eyes rose a level higher.
Mount Tai and the Big Dipper of the Orthodox Murim, Shaolin.
Excluding the Martial Sovereign and the Heavenly Demon who are exceptional beings, it is also the sect where the Mad Monk, the head of the Eight Sovereigns of Murim, belongs.
His master, the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle, looks down on most of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Families, but treated only Shaolin and the Mad Monk with wariness and respect.
A martial artist honed through the battlefield with such arts of Shaolin as the foundation.
“It will be a bit difficult?”
Dam Jeok-san, listening to her words, blurted out his honest feelings.
“I'm not saying you must win, let's just endure ten moves.”
The Sword Venerable spoke in a soft voice as if soothing Dam Jeok-san, but his expression was still dark.
A lament flowed from Dam Jeok-san's mouth. Ten moves, ten moves she says.
If the opponent is an Entering Transformation Realm master, enduring even five moves would be strenuous.
Then Un Wol-hyang narrowed her brow and looked at him pressurizingly.
“...I will try my best.”
Dam Jeok-san answered, swallowing his lament as if he had no choice.
He acted recklessly against the Sword Ghost knowing he might die. Thinking of his feelings back then, exchanging moves with the General seemed like child's play. Since she won't kill him anyway.
“Good, now I like it a bit. Ah! She is not the type to use underhanded tricks even by chance, so you don't need to worry about that part.”
Un Wol-hyang rubbed her white chin and continued.
“Rather, she tends to make offers you can't refuse. Like granting anything within her ability if you endure ten moves. She is fastidious, but unexpectedly also has a generous side.”
Perhaps to encourage Dam Jeok-san's will, Un Wol-hyang laid out quite hopeful stories.
“In the General's thought, wouldn't it be a story she tells when ten moves are enough to beat someone to a pulp?”
“Regrettably, that is so. Before I became the Northern Branch Manager, I had an argument with her that escalated into a fight.”
Un Wol-hyang endured exactly nine moves, and fainted while standing at the tenth move. The General of the North admired her spirit and said she would count it as enduring―
“I refused. My pride was hurt.”
“...Indeed befitting of you, Martial Aunt.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Of course. I will make sure to endure ten moves. Without fainting.”
Dam Jeok-san smirked and replied. Honestly, he wasn't confident. At that time, Un Wol-hyang was probably a mature Ultra-Peak master, only not having reached the Entering Transformation Realm.
But the current Dam Jeok-san is merely at the entrance of Ultra-Peak.
One who reached a mature stage and a fledgling at the entrance. The gap between the two is large enough that they cannot be seen as being in the same stage.
For example, even if Dam Jeok-san returned to the time he faced Murong Gang, he was not confident he could handle him yet.
Moreover, the General of the North wouldn't have been playing around all this time either. It would be difficult to predict a chance of winning with ordinary methods.
Some extraordinary move is needed.
“And get ready slowly, the Branch is getting closer now.”
“You mean the triumphal ceremony?”
“Yes, I sent a missive. To prepare as splendidly as possible. Well, there will be limits to that. What is truly splendid is not the decoration but the audience who will see it.”
Not only General of the North Jin-ryeo, but also the leaders of the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, Blood Death Lord and Sword Addict, and various big shots centering around them will participate in large numbers.
Because this triumphal ceremony is not simply a place to boast of the Martial Sovereign Castle's achievements.
If the Black Dragon's corruption had actually happened, not only would the entire north be covered as a Demonic Realm, but more than half of the region north of the Yangtze River would have turned into a sea of fire.
Truly a precursor of a disaster that might happen once in a hundred years.
How Wi Cheon-rak could plot such a huge conspiracy avoiding their eyes.
What measures are needed to prevent such a thing from recurring.
This place was not a simple triumphal ceremony, but a time to discuss sufficiently about that.
“I understood. If I get recognized by the General, I could also put a foot in that position?”
The north is one small Murim. The Martial Sovereign Castle, the Imperial Family, the Righteous Heaven Alliance, and the Unorthodox Alliance. Organizations exerting huge influence on the Central Plains are gathered in large numbers.
And the four Entering Transformation Realm masters including the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable are the leaders of that Murim. Standing in one place with them is something that can raise Dam Jeok-san's status in itself.
'It will be quite helpful in checking Eldest Senior Brother.'
Although their wariness will also become stronger by that much, he cannot hide his power out of fear of that. Since he is an opponent he will have to fight and smash someday anyway.
“Good, then I will give you a little help. Try lifting your sword.”
Un Wol-hyang suddenly waved her hand, stopping the procession, and said.
“Pardon?”
“Because the General's movements still remain clearly in my head.”
She said, clenching her fist instead of a sword. A proficient posture unbelievable for the fact that she reached the Entering Transformation Realm with the sword.
Before Dam Jeok-san could answer anything.
WHOOSH!
Her fist cut through the empty air.
“No, Martial Aunt...!”
At the ridiculous speed, Dam Jeok-san spat out a cry mixed with bewilderment.
But separate from that voice, Dam Jeok-san had picked up his sword and was unfolding a move before he knew it.
Too late to unfold a defensive move. Rather, with a fast sword to counterattack. Dam Jeok-san's sword judged so cuts through the empty air quickly.
CLAAAANG―!
Even though human flesh and metal collided, the metal screamed as if tearing instead.
Dam Jeok-san forcibly swallowed sour bile, feeling the shockwave ride up the sword blade and shake his whole body.
How on earth is that the Sword Venerable's fist technique.
“The General will be twice as fast and three times stronger than me.”
Un Wol-hyang rushed at Dam Jeok-san again with those words. This time it's a palm technique. Her palm technique was slow, but harbored immense power.
Shaolin supreme art, a strike mimicking the Divine Palm of Buddha.
Dam Jeok-san raised his sword again, feeling pressure as if the space itself was rushing in.
THUD!
This time Dam Jeok-san unfolded a defensive move. His figure was pushed back, but his posture was not disturbed.
'He withstands this?'
Slight bewilderment hung in Un Wol-hyang's eyes. Actually, it wasn't an attack meant to be withstood properly. The difference between Entering Transformation Realm and Ultra-Peak is literally absolute.
She intended to raise his mental strength so he could endure while vomiting blood.
Un Wol-hyang, thinking that good is good anyway.
“Third one.”
Extended her long leg and kicked Dam Jeok-san's face.
* * *
“...Is that really, okay?”
Gyeong-won, who watched the sparring between Dam Jeok-san and Un Wol-hyang, asked a woman in a trembling voice.
“Hmm, well?”
The woman, Dark Heaven, shrugged with an enigmatic expression.
“To tell you just one thing, your Lord is much stronger than you think.”
And even than he himself or the Sword Venerable thinks. Dark Heaven thought, looking at Dam Jeok-san with profound eyes.
Although he thinks he gained nothing from the last duel, in Dark Heaven's view, it was completely different from the truth.
Growth is not just containing a tremendous amount of genuine qi in the body. Rather, raising one's 'Status' and broadening one's horizon is closer to growth in the true sense.
Seeing Dam Jeok-san rushing towards Un Wol-hyang even while staggering after getting hit in the head by a kick, Dark Heaven was convinced. That her thought was correct.
* * *
The Martial Sovereign Castle Northern Branch was in chaos with untimely triumphal preparations.
Especially since it was an instruction handed down while all personnel above Squad Leader level were absent.
However, what truly flustered them was not the tight deadline for the triumphal ceremony preparation. That is something that can be solved sufficiently by staying up all night.
It's just...
“Kuhaha, I knew that fledgling would do something big.”
“This poor Daoist thought so too. He was a child with excellent potential.”
“It is disgusting beyond measure to see Gangho ruffians sucking up to each other among themselves. I will clearly reveal that braggart at the triumphal ceremony.”
Blood Death Lord, Sword Addict, and General of the North Jin-ryeo.
Their battle of nerves as they barged in without even changing clothes splattered with blood and flesh from blocking the overflow of the Demonic Realm.
That made the lower martial artists and laborers of the Martial Sovereign Castle Northern Branch very miserable.