Chapter 82 - Support for the Eakan Branch (2)
At Namgung Jun's question, the woman murmured as if dumbfounded.
"You don't know ?"
The woman, Dan So-hye, who was looking at Namgung Jun with disappointed eyes, recalled her first eting with him.
'Namgung Jun. My first opponent in the Placent Test.'
This mory would likely remain vivid in her mind no matter how much ti passed.
It was bound to be so.
For it was the first truly disastrous defeat she had experienced while living as a martial artist.
'It still makes dizzy just thinking about it. How is such a single sword strike even possible?'
She had faced Namgung Jun as her first opponent in the Placent Test and suffered a crushing defeat where her sword was shattered in a single blow.
Because it had happened so instantaneously, it also felt like a dream.
The current situation was the sa.
To think that the person who suddenly appeared and saved her was Namgung Jun.
"Let us converse later."
Although Dan So-hye could not take her eyes off Namgung Jun, Namgung Jun himself was focused on the demonic beings appearing one after another from behind.
Recalling a woman he did not rember was not a very important matter. Right now, it was right to focus on the demonic beings before him.
In particular, Peak Realm masters who appeared to be Radiant Vindicators were mixed among the demonic beings.
'Radiant Vindicators.'
Facing them like this, a new wave of emotion washed over him.
'Is this the first ti since my first mission?'
At that ti, he was at a clear disadvantage.
Unlike the Radiant Vindicator who had reached the Peak Realm, Namgung Jun was rely a low-level practitioner who had only recently learned martial arts.
It was a life-and-death battle that he had overco entirely by borrowing the power of his past life.
To the Namgung Jun of that ti, a Radiant Vindicator was a truly difficult opponent, but that was no longer the case.
The demonic beings before him did not pose the slightest threat. This was true even though they were stronger than the Radiant Vindicator from his first mission.
"I am Namgung Jun of the Azure Sky Society."
Namgung Jun proudly declared his na.
As Namgung Jun took a step forward, the demonic beings, conversely, stepped backward.
The sa was true for the two Radiant Vindicators leading the detachnt, Jeokmun-geom and Ho Gong-no.
Unlike Namgung Jun, who leisurely placed his hand on his sword hilt, tension hung heavily on the faces of the two Radiant Vindicators.
'Namgung Jun? I've heard that na sowhere before.'
'Did he not operate in Jiangxi Province? No distinct epithet cos to mind.'
However, the two Radiant Vindicators did not lower their guard.
It did not matter if they did not know his exact identity.
An aura whose martial prowess could not be easily discerned, and the fact that he had obtained three cloud embroideries despite his youthful appearance.
That alone made it clear that he was a swordsman they fully needed to be wary of.
"Strike!"
Jeokmun-geom, who had been staring intently at Namgung Jun, ultimately chose to strike first.
Although there were as many as three Three-Cloud mbers over there, it was not to an overwhelming degree.
Furthermore, the Clouds of the Eakan Branch were not in a state where they could fully display their original martial prowess due to the prolonged pursuit.
In a case like this, seizing the montum by striking first would be the wise choice.
The detachnt led by Jeokmun-geom and Ho Gong-no began to throw themselves toward Namgung Jun's group.
The one standing at the vanguard was Jeokmun-geom.
'While I keep this fellow tied down, Ho Gong-no just needs to eliminate the rest of them.'
After that, it would be enough to slowly hunt down the solitary Namgung Jun, as if whittling him away.
Capturing the Eakan Branch bastards and taking out the Three-Clouds of the Azure Sky Society's Ten Halls as a bonus.
It was an opportunity to multiply his rits.
It was just as Jeokmun-geom, who drew his sword as if twisting it to a low stance, was about to slash his blade upward.
"Huh?"
Jeokmun-geom's breathing abruptly cut off.
It was bound to be so.
The blue sword wind rapidly drawing close before his eyes was far too thick and massive.
He could see absolutely no way to escape.
The only option was to clash head-on, but Jeokmun-geom intuitively knew.
'Not a chance.'
Jeokmun-geom knew his own martial prowess precisely.
Realizing that the only thod that ca to mind would fail, Jeokmun-geom could do nothing but flinch.
'Ah.'
Clang!
A single sword strike.
The sword strike, soaring upward from a low stance with a twist of the wrist, not only shattered Jeokmun-geom's sword but also sent his head flying.
It was a beautiful sword path where the destruction of the weapon and the killing were achieved in a single breath.
This was before the clash between the two sides had even properly begun.
Yet Namgung Jun had sent the head of the Radiant Vindicator standing at the vanguard flying with a single strike.
"Huh? Jeokmun-geom?"
"What!"
"Gasp! The Radiant Vindicator!"
Ho Gong-no and the other demonic beings rushing from the left and right hesitated in shock.
The opponent was a Radiant Vindicator.
Of course, the difference in martial prowess would vary greatly depending on the individual, but in terms of the Azure Sky Society, they were an existence on par with a Three-Cloud mber.
There was no way such a massive gap could exist for a battle to be decided in a single blow.
'Yes! That's exactly it!'
Dan So-hye, who witnessed Namgung Jun's single sword strike from up close, was not surprised. Rather, she was filled with a sense of gladness.
Because she had experienced it firsthand in the past.
The Placent Test for the One-Cloud mbers of the Azure Sky Society.
Having been Namgung Jun's first opponent, she had her weapon shattered and victory snatched away in a single sword strike.
It was a truly disastrous result.
The clean single sword strike that had just slaughtered Jeokmun-geom strongly reminded her of the spar from the Placent Test she had suffered.
Of course, the level of his sword was completely different from back then.
'Not even a year has passed yet?'
Dan So-hye questioned as she looked at Namgung Jun's back profile.
How was sothing like this even possible?
She was still a One-Cloud mber. Only recently had she begun preparing for the promotion to Two-Cloud.
According to the seniors of the Eakan Branch, they said this was quite a fast pace. Hearing that, although she didn't show it openly, she had felt rather proud of herself.
However, looking at Namgung Jun, any pride she had in her achievents being fast completely vanished.
Three-Cloud, and the sword strike he had just displayed.
Namgung Jun was completely different from how he was during the Placent Test.
"Man Ye-won. You help the Clouds of the Eakan Branch."
Namgung Jun did not give separate orders to Heo Il and Gong Jun-am.
However, as if reading Namgung Jun's mind, the two took their positions to protect Namgung Jun's left and right flanks respectively.
"What's left is one Radiant Vindicator and twenty ordinary cult mbers. The numbers are still quite large."
"While Namgung Jun faces the remaining Radiant Vindicator, we will clean up the small fries."
The three Three-Cloud mbers, including Namgung Jun, threw themselves forward at the sa ti.
The detachnt of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, which had montarily hesitated, conversely began to crumble as they clashed with the three swordsn.
"Gasp!"
In particular, the one who shrank back the most was the elderly Radiant Vindicator, Ho Gong-no.
It was bound to be so. Jeokmun-geom, who was stronger than himself, had his head sent flying by a single sword strike.
'Did he learn so kind of Demonic Art in the Azure Sky Society!'
Unrestrained footwork that seed capable of extending in any direction.
Conversely, the body anchored by his two feet was charging fiercely, radiating an imnse pressure that brooked no interference.
'I cannot cut off his charge in advance.'
Analyzing Namgung Jun's martial arts in a split second through his years of experience, Ho Gong-no extended both palms forward.
He intended to pour out his ultimate technique from the very beginning to push Namgung Jun back and seize the opportunity to escape.
He even intended to use his surrounding subordinates as bait. Right now, surviving sohow was the absolute highest priority.
"Not a chance."
However, Namgung Jun was not simply a boy with strong martial arts. The experience of his past life as the Sword Emperor was making up for the shallow period of ti that had not even accumulated a full year.
There was no martial artist in this place capable of stopping Namgung Jun, whose only weakness had been offset.
"Huh?"
Ho Gong-no's eyes widened just as he was about to unfold his ultimate technique.
It was not the powerful Heavy Sword style that had sent Jeokmun-geom's head flying.
It was not a sword wind laden with imnse sword power, but a sword strike pouring out with extre speed as if folding space itself. It was exactly like lightning.
A boy unfolding a Swift Sword style like lightning. Only then did Ho Gong-no recall Namgung Jun's epithet.
"The Azure Star Sword!"
It was Ho Gong-no's final words.
The tip of the sword, instantly piercing through the palm that was extending forward, penetrated Ho Gong-no's heart. Just like Jeokmun-geom, he was an opponent of a single move.
"Two Radiant Vindicators with just a single sword strike?"
"Who on earth is that boy?"
"The Azure Star Sword! The number one rising star of the Orthodox Path! It is definitely Namgung Jun."
The Clouds of the Eakan Branch who were watching this spectacle could not contain their admiration either.
Who could have known that a Three-Cloud boy who suddenly appeared would show off such overwhelming martial prowess against Radiant Vindicators?
At the very least, one would have to be a Four-Cloud Hall Master to display such an appearance.
Dan So-hye stared blankly at Namgung Jun.
'I heard rumors that he was recognized as the number one rising star of the Orthodox Path after the Mount Song Gathering, but...'
She had not known the gap would be this massive. How could soone beco that strong?
'I intended to train hard and repay him for my defeat during the Placent Test.'
Looking at the current Namgung Jun, it seed eternally impossible. Her competitive spirit vanished, leaving only curiosity. How could Namgung Jun beco so strong?
Dan So-hye's gaze showed no signs of leaving Namgung Jun's back.
"I see the swordsn of the Heavenly Sword Hall."
A middle-aged man whose sleeves fluttered with three cloud embroideries spoke.
"We have received great help. I am in charge of the Eakan Branch."
As the branch leader of the Eakan Branch spoke, Namgung Jun's group also showed their courtesy. As soon as the branch leader caught his breath, he looked at Namgung Jun's group and asked,
"By any chance, did you not see the martial artists of the Iron Battle Camp on your way here?"
"The Iron Battle Camp has not appeared yet. What is the matter?"
"I know that not only the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult but also the Iron Battle Camp has moved the martial artists under their command to Mount Okhwa."
Hearing that a great sect belonging to the Eight Great Factions had also moved following the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, Heo Il's eyes narrowed.
"I did hear that there was a possibility of the Iron Battle Camp joining the battle, but this is a bit troubleso. It will be problematic if even they try to push us with their numbers."
The branch leader took out a blood-stained letter from within his robes, showed it to them, and said,
"The reason the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult stubbornly pursued the Eakan Branch all the way to Mount Okhwa, and the reason the Iron Battle Camp is also swarming toward Mount Okhwa... it is all because of this. This is sothing that must absolutely be delivered to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master."
What was held in the branch leader's hand was a neatly written piece of paper. Blood that had flowed from his wounds was sared on every corner of it.
Although he was curious about what it was right away, it would not be too late to postpone hearing the detailed circumstances until later.
The important thing was to overco this situation where a new enemy, the Iron Battle Camp, was joining.
……
Namgung Jun quickly descended the mountain, leading the Clouds of the Eakan Branch.
Now that he had heard the information that the Iron Battle Camp had moved, he had to join up with Lee Se-ha as quickly as possible.
Clang-clang-clang!
Boom!
"Left! Widen the distance more!"
"Hold your positions!"
Upon arriving at the prearranged eting point, the Heavenly Sword Hall was pushing back the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.
At its center was Lee Se-ha. Standing at the vanguard, Lee Se-ha rapidly cut down the demonic beings pushing in from both sides.
Riding the montum that Lee Se-ha had created, the other senior mbers also firmly suppressed the spirit of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.
"Oh? The youngest is coming down."
"This quickly?"
"This mission will be over soon."
Discovering Namgung Jun's group, the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsn advanced forward little by little. It was to firmly protect the Clouds of the Eakan Branch who had joined up with Namgung Jun's group.
"Master. A variable has arisen."
"Are you perhaps talking about those?"
Softly pulling out her sword embedded in a demonic being's chest, Lee Se-ha pointed over the ridge with her hand.
It was a location too distant for Namgung Jun's energy sense to reach yet. However, there was sothing clearly reflected in their eyes.
A fierce cloud of dust billowing over the ridge. Between the gradually swelling cloud of dust, countless dark human silhouettes began to multiply.
"Those must be the Iron Battle Camp."
"Undoubtedly. If anyone is rampaging this heavily in Jiangxi Province, it can only be the Iron Battle Camp."
It was just as the Eakan Branch Leader had said. A new aura could be felt from far away.
The head count was estimated to be around fifty, but as their exquisitely unified aura swelled fiercely, it was like looking at a martial arts army of a hundred.
Just by advancing in alignnt, an intimidating pressure akin to deploying so kind of sword formation swept across the ground. It was truly a military aura.
"Is it one mountain after another?"
"So troubleso things have popped out."
"Everyone, steady your breathing."
The Heavenly Sword Hall clearly held the upper hand in the current battlefield.
This was because the Heavenly Sword Hall under Lee Se-ha's command had slain all the Radiant Vindicators, and they did not yield the victory they had secured through their qualitative superiority.
However, the number of Sun and Moon Demonic Cult demonic beings who survived and fought hard was still considerable.
In this situation, the arrival of the Iron Battle Camp was not good. But the Heavenly Sword Hall did not fear. Even though no separate instructions had been given down, the swordsn of the Heavenly Sword Hall found their respective assigned directions.
The Heavenly Sword Hall gathered around Lee Se-ha. Naturally, the spot where Lee Se-ha stood ca to be located at the center of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
With the Heavenly Sword Hall backing her up, Lee Se-ha opened her mouth.
"Deploy the formation."
It was the very first mont that the Greater Amplification Sword Formation, refined by Namgung Jun's hand, revealed its presence.
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