Chapter 111

Wieon Mountain Manor (2)

Hyeok Useon's steps came to an abrupt halt as he advanced toward the Haeun Sect while releasing killing intent.

It was only natural.

The title Rising Star Sword was beginning to spread beyond Anhui Province and into neighboring regions.

Hubei Province, which bordered Anhui, was no exception.

Any martial artist in Hubei who paid attention to Jianghu rumors had likely heard the title at least once.

The greatest young warrior of the righteous path who conquered the Songshan Assembly!

Hyeok Useon immediately surveyed Namgung Jun's surroundings.

Neither his eyes nor his senses detected anyone else.

The young man before him had clearly cut off their retreat all by himself.

He seemed highly confident in both his reputation and martial prowess.

Having assessed the situation in an instant, Hyeok Useon moved.

Shing!

Without warning, he drew his saber and struck directly at Namgung Jun's neck.

The Changcheon Society was never a group that could be reasoned with through negotiation.

Whatever the reason, if the Changcheon Society intended to obstruct the Wieon Mountain Manor's operations, conflict was inevitable.

We met sooner than the Manor Lord predicted, but it changes nothing.

In the end, the only correct decision left to Hyeok Useon was to strike first.

It was a sudden attack born from a sudden situation.

Yet there was not a single wasted movement in his draw.

Even if he failed to take the youth's head in a single blow, he was certain it would seize control of the battle.

"Huh?"

When his saber had extended about halfway through its arc, Hyeok Useon felt something strange.

The moment he had drawn his weapon, Namgung Jun's hands had clearly been hanging at his sides.

Yet now, reflected in his eyes, was the image of Namgung Jun gripping a long bolt of lightning.

A fierce blue sword light stretched outward, taking the form of a thunderbolt.

When did he draw it?

He hadn't even perceived Namgung Jun grasping the hilt, much less unsheathing the sword.

Drawn as naturally as a dream, Namgung Jun's blade carved a brilliant arc through the air.

Craaaang!

The trajectories of saber and sword overlapped.

In that instant, Hyeok Useon felt his grip suddenly become light.

It was no illusion.

Unable to withstand the young swordsman's strike, the body of his saber shattered.

Utterly.

As he watched fragments of steel scatter apart, violent waves rose in Hyeok Useon's eyes.

The pride and confidence he had built throughout his life as a martial artist collapsed in much the same way.

"How...?"

No matter how famous the greatest rising talent of the righteous path might be, Hyeok Useon himself was a seasoned expert who had survived the Jianghu for decades.

Hadn't he clawed his way up from the bottom and risen to become the second-ranking figure of the Wieon Mountain Manor?

"You drew your blade lightly, so leave lightly as well."

Before Namgung Jun even finished speaking those emotionless words—

Blood began to seep from Hyeok Useon's chest, where the Eternal True Sword had already been buried deep.

"Ghk?"

Hyeok Useon never even saw the final sword strike that pierced his heart.

All he could do was let out a confused groan.

The question that filled his mind remained a question forever.

He would never find its answer.

"Vice Manor Lord!"
"How did this happen so suddenly?!"

The martial artists standing beside Hyeok Useon were utterly shaken.

The battle had ended far too quickly.

So quickly that they could not even think of intervening.

Hyeok Useon, Vice Manor Lord of the Wieon Mountain Manor, was undeniably powerful.

Few experts in the surrounding region—let alone the leaders of smaller sects—could withstand his saber.

As one of the two vice manor lords beneath the Manor Lord, he had accumulated countless achievements.

Yet Hyeok Useon, whose name and authority carried weight throughout eastern Hubei, had been slain in an instant.

His treasured saber was destroyed in the first exchange.

His heart was pierced in the second.

The entire sequence was so natural and so swift that those of lesser skill might have mistaken it for a single strike.

The martial artists of the Wieon Mountain Manor felt both terror and emptiness.

"What do we do...?!"

Namgung Jun merely stood there blocking their retreat.

Yet none of them dared charge him.

"Our youngest has gone and earned another impressive achievement."

"Hyeok Useon wasn't someone who should've gone down that easily. His skills were quite refined."

"Which only proves how extraordinary our youngest's swordsmanship truly is."

By now, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall had crossed through the Haeun Sect's gates and were advancing toward the Wieon Mountain Manor's forces, weapons already drawn.

They were surrounded from both front and rear.

There was nowhere left to run.

And the one responsible for commanding them—Hyeok Useon—was already dead.

"We still outnumber them!"

"That's right! The rear! Break through the rear!"

The panicked martial artists turned toward the retreat route behind them.

Toward the lone figure guarding it.

They fully understood that Namgung Jun possessed the power to kill Hyeok Useon with ease.

But surely even a master like him couldn't stop dozens of fleeing martial artists at the same time.

After all, no matter how strong he was, he only had one sword.

"Scatter! Run at the same time!"

"Survive however you can!"

More than a dozen martial artists near the rear immediately launched themselves into motion.

Each fled in a different direction.

If they scattered like this, even if some died, the rest might escape.

The Eternal True Sword trembled lightly.

Blue radiance spread outward in all directions.

Suddenly, sword strikes poured forth like raindrops, filling the surrounding area.

The fleeing martial artists found themselves drenched in a storm of azure sword light.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Blood erupted from their bodies.

The sword strikes split into dozens of paths and cut down every single fleeing martial artist without exception.

It was a technique from the Sukwoo Sword Art.

A crimson shower suddenly blossomed across the battlefield like rain.

Even as thick drops of blood fell onto his bamboo hat, Namgung Jun merely flicked his sword lightly and lowered it.

"Can you perform footwork capable of escaping the rainstorm?"

His bamboo hat lifted slightly, revealing a pair of blue eyes.

The martial artists of the Wieon Mountain Manor met a gaze that seemed to contain dozens of bolts of lightning writhing within it, and their fighting spirit faded.

"If not, then conduct yourselves with proper humility and wait for the storm to pass."

Namgung Jun's steady voice struck directly into their ears.

The forces of the Wieon Mountain Manor that had attempted to invade the Haeun Sect were completely subdued.

After having them confined with the assistance of the Haeun Sect, Namgung Jun met with the Sect Leader.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Namgung Jun of the Changcheon Society."

"Welcome, Young Hero Namgung. You have rendered us a tremendous service."

The Haeun Sect Leader treated Namgung Jun with the utmost courtesy.

A large portion of the sect's disciples had already departed for Mount Wudang to aid the Wudang Sect.

At present, the Haeun Sect was practically an empty house.

That was precisely why the Wieon Mountain Manor had boldly chosen to strike.

Had the Heavenly Sword Hall not arrived unexpectedly, the Haeun Sect would have been completely crushed.

"I've heard that the Wieon Mountain Manor's tyranny has grown even worse recently."

"Since the clashes between the Sun Moon Demonic Cult and the Wudang Sect began, they've become even more aggressive. The Wieon Mountain Manor used to avoid major conflicts with Wudang's affiliated sects. The fact that they've now dispatched such a large force speaks for itself."

Namgung Jun nodded quietly.

"Our society also suspects that some form of communication exists between the Sun Moon Demonic Cult and the Wieon Mountain Manor. Their recent actions are far too bold to be explained merely by taking advantage of the situation in Hubei."

"They are an unorthodox faction to begin with. Joining hands with demonic forces would hardly trouble them. And their Manor Lord's ambitions are considerable. Even our sect has begun wondering whether we need to take additional measures."

Namgung Jun shook his head.

"The Haeun Sect should simply continue standing firm as it has until now."

"Hoh. The meaning behind those words is..."

The Haeun Sect Leader trailed off.

Namgung Jun continued calmly.

"The Wieon Mountain Manor will soon cease to exist."

The Haeun Sect Leader immediately understood.

The Heavenly Sword Hall forces that had arrived today represented only a fraction of their strength.

Even the forces outside were impressive enough.

He recalled the martial artists who had entered the Haeun Sect.

Several of them were famous enough to be recognized immediately.

Once someone reached the level of a Third Cloud of the Changcheon Society, possessing a martial title was hardly unusual.

Now that I think about it, Giant Wall Sword Gong Junam was among them. He's long been known as the second-in-command of the Heavenly Sword Hall.

A question suddenly surfaced in his mind.

He knew that Hyeok Useon had been killed by a single sword strike from Namgung Jun.

Yet was that truly enough to justify placing this young man above Gong Junam, who had served as the hall's second-in-command for so long?

The Haeun Sect Leader wisely suppressed the thought.

At the Songshan Assembly, it was said that even the Sect Master personally instructed him. There must be something I don't know.

Taking up his teacup, he asked,

"Young Hero Namgung, is there any assistance our sect can provide?"

"When the Wieon Mountain Manor falls, various opportunistic groups may attempt to fill the vacuum. Please pay close attention to the welfare of the people in the surrounding region."

"That is naturally our responsibility."

"I have heard much of the Haeun Sect's reputation. Simply fulfilling your proper role will already be of tremendous help."

The Haeun Sect Leader quietly sipped his tea.

"We are the ones who received great help, yet you honor our sect so generously. It's almost embarrassing to sit here."

"It isn't empty praise. The Haeun Sect I heard about through the Jianghu deserves exactly that level of respect."

Though their conversation was brief, the Haeun Sect Leader realized something.

Despite his youth, he possesses a unique presence.

It had nothing to do with martial skill.

There was a certain strength within the man himself.

It wasn't the overwhelming type that instantly dominated everyone present, nor the sort that left a crushing impression.

Rather, it was a composed and dignified seriousness that seeped into others like the fragrance of tea, making one forget his age.

The rumors were not exaggerated. He truly is one of the Changcheon Society's great talents.

The Haeun Sect Leader could now understand why this rising star sat in a position above so many veteran Third Clouds of the Heavenly Sword Hall.

What a pity.

Had he possessed a daughter, he might have quietly arranged an introduction.

Though they had not spoken for long, he found himself greatly admiring Namgung Jun, whose depth of character far surpassed that of ordinary young martial artists.

"Are you leaving immediately? Wouldn't it be better to rest for at least a day?"

Namgung Jun offered a respectful salute and declined politely.

"By now, the Heavenly Sword Hall Master has likely already slain the other Vice Manor Lord of the Wieon Mountain Manor who headed toward Hwanggang."

Hwanggang lay roughly four days away from Danfeng, where the Haeun Sect was located.

For martial artists utilizing lightness techniques, the journey could be made even faster.

"If both Vice Manor Lords responsible for the manor's military operations are dead, then..."

"Yes. We have already severed all of the Wieon Mountain Manor's core combat strength. The Heavenly Sword Hall intends to strike their headquarters immediately."

The Heavenly Sword Hall had no intention of dragging out the destruction of the Wieon Mountain Manor.

They intended to finish it swiftly.

***

Wieon Mountain Manor

Situated halfway up a mountain, the Wieon Mountain Manor was an impressive stronghold.

Its estate far exceeded ordinary dimensions.

The walls surrounding it were high and thick enough to resemble the defenses of a small fortress.

The master of the manor, Dark Forest Wanderer, stood atop the highest building and looked over his domain.

"So both of my sworn brothers are dead?"

"Yes. The reports sent from our forces in Hwanggang and Danfeng confirm it."

Despite the report, Dark Forest Wanderer's eyes remained indifferent.

Only the faintest trace of irritation appeared.

He recalled the two Vice Manor Lords with whom he had formed a brotherhood.

They had seemed useful enough, so he had bound them to the manor with both the title of sworn brother and Vice Manor Lord.

He had made excellent use of them for over a decade.

Losing them at such a critical moment was a painful blow.

They used superior intelligence and mobility to isolate and eliminate us one by one.

The forces led by the two Vice Manor Lords had represented a substantial portion of the manor's strength.

Having first destroyed those forces outside the headquarters, the Heavenly Sword Hall would undoubtedly march here next.

"To think they accomplished nothing despite having that much strength. Pathetic fools."

Clicking his tongue, Dark Forest Wanderer clasped his hands behind his back and issued an order.

"The Changcheon Society will arrive soon. Raise our alert level to maximum."

"Understood!"

At the same moment his subordinate answered, a tremendous explosion sounded in the distance.

It came from the direction of the manor's main gate.

Dark Forest Wanderer's head snapped toward the source.

Through the shattered remains of the gate, swordsmen were already charging into the manor grounds.

"So soon?"

A trace of surprise slipped into Dark Forest Wanderer's voice.

Beside him, his subordinate trembled slightly.