Chapter 304

Hong Chu, the Bone-White Spear Master, looked at Sun Woo-jin with a fearful expression and asked, “The Hyeongsan Sect is a massive force that controls the entire Honam Province. They have not just a handful, but dozens of peak-level masters, even ultra-peak masters. How can we possibly stand a chance against them?”

Sun Woo-jin replied as if it were obvious. “Of course, we can’t win.”

Hong Chu was even more taken aback by his firm answer. Stammering, he asked again, “You say we can’t win, so then why…?”

Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly and answered, “Because if we fight them head-on, there’s no way we can win. Even if we somehow did, it would come at the cost of countless sacrifices. That’s why I have no intention of challenging them directly, just as the Spear Master of the Monster Spear Clan does with the Namgung family.”

Hearing this, the fear on everyone’s faces began to fade, replaced by a different kind of emotion. Though their worries hadn’t completely vanished, just the idea of not facing the enemy head-on brought a measure of relief.

Curiosity began to creep in where fear had once been. Having been humbled by Sun Woo-jin’s wisdom before, they were eager to see what clever strategy he would come up with this time.

Sun Woo-jin scanned the room and began to explain. “I plan to exploit three weaknesses they have.”

The crowd murmured in surprise. “Three weaknesses?”

Confusion spread across their faces. It was hard to believe the Hyeongsan Sect had that many vulnerabilities.

Raising his index finger, Sun Woo-jin started with the first. “First, although the Hyeongsan Sect’s power is vast, their forces are spread thin across the entire Honam Province.”

A few who knew even a little about military strategy let out impressed sounds. “Ah!” “That makes sense!”

Sun Woo-jin was pointing out that their strength was scattered in all directions. Dispersing the enemy and concentrating one’s own forces is a fundamental tactic, and the word ‘divide and conquer’ naturally came to mind.

Then, raising his middle finger alongside the index, he continued. “Second, while the Hyeongsan Sect claims to value righteousness, they have repeatedly engaged in actions that violate their own principles.”

His tone was full of confidence, but unlike the first point, the crowd’s reaction was lukewarm. Those who had been impressed earlier now just blinked in confusion, unsure what he meant.

Sun Woo-jin didn’t elaborate further and moved on to the third point. “Third, because of the second weakness, they have many enemies within Honam Province. Although they control the entire region, not all martial artists there follow them willingly. Many resist, suppressed only by their power. I intend to use these three weaknesses to confront the Hyeongsan Sect.”

Everyone nodded. They didn’t fully grasp the plan yet, but somehow, it felt like it could work.

---

Akyang, located at the northeastern edge of Honam Province, was a large city by Dongjeong Lake, a vital hub for water transportation.

In the past, numerous rogue sects, including the notorious Sujuks, flocked to Akyang, vying for control over its lucrative trade routes.

Back then, Akyang was a constant battlefield—fights between established and new powers, clashes among rogue sects over territory, and battles between righteous sects and the rogues. Bloodshed was a daily occurrence.

The common folk couldn’t even walk the streets safely. So much so that a saying spread throughout Honam: “Half the corpses floating on Dongjeong Lake come from Akyang.”

Then one day, a legendary ultra-peak master named Cho Hagon appeared like a comet.

More precisely, after years of wandering and training in distant lands, he had returned to his hometown.

Seeing the chaos that had engulfed Akyang, he declared, “I’m no great hero, but I won’t stand by while my home is disturbed. Anyone who harms others here will be considered a threat to my house, and they will have to settle the score with me!”

From then on, wielding his brilliant golden blade, he led the fight against the rogue gangs. For five years, he fought tirelessly, eventually driving all the rogue forces out of Akyang.

He single-handedly purified the entire city.

Twenty years have passed since.

During that time, he built a modest estate called Geumdojang and settled there—a small retreat for his twilight years.

Though the estate was humble, it was more than enough for an ultra-peak master like Cho Hagon.

He had no desire to rule or dominate Akyang; he simply wanted a peaceful life in his hometown.

Yet, despite his wish for a quiet life, he had become an unparalleled hero and benefactor to both the righteous martial artists and the common people of Akyang.

People often said, “While Honam Province is covered in the sky-blue of the Hyeongsan Sect, only Akyang shines golden.”

This meant that while the rest of Honam was under Hyeongsan’s control, Akyang remained independent.

About a year ago, Ja Jong-jin, an elder of the Hyeongsan Sect, began visiting Cho Hagon.

At first, he came under the pretense of friendship, but soon he subtly suggested that Cho Hagon consider submitting to the Hyeongsan Sect.

“Geumdojang may represent Akyang, but its size limits its growth. Why not join us? If you do, you could become not just the master of Akyang, but the ruler of all Dongjeong Lake.”

He was offering Cho Hagon recognition as the lord of the vast lake if he brought Geumdojang under Hyeongsan’s banner.

But Cho Hagon, whose only goal was to make Akyang a better place, was unmoved by the Hyeongsan Sect’s less-than-stellar reputation.

He laughed and firmly declined. “Thank you, but I’m content with my life. I never sought to rule Akyang, so what use would I have for the entire Dongjeong Lake?”

Ja Jong-jin left with a sour expression.

Though Cho Hagon felt uneasy about the elder’s demeanor, he didn’t dwell on it, trusting that the Hyeongsan Sect, as one of the ancient righteous sects, wouldn’t resort to wrongdoing.

But soon, troubling rumors began to reach him.

“Master Cho, the Hyeongsan Sect has approached our Jjongmun Sect.”

“Hyeongsan Sect? Really?”

At first, Cho Hagon thought they had given up on courting Geumdojang and were trying elsewhere.

But the news didn’t stop there.

“They said if we submit, they’d eliminate Geumdojang and make us the top sect in Akyang. It seems they’re after Geumdojang itself.”

“Hmm, Geumdojang isn’t even the top sect in Akyang. They must be mistaken. Surely the righteous Hyeongsan Sect wouldn’t harm us without cause.”

The Jjongmun leader sighed in frustration. “It’s not that simple, Master Cho. Other sects have gone through similar processes, where Hyeongsan incited internal conflicts to weaken and absorb them. This has happened in more than one place.”

“Really? The Hyeongsan Sect, one of the ancient righteous sects, would go that far?”

At first, Cho Hagon was skeptical, but the rumors persisted.

Thanks to Cho Hagon’s reputation, other sects refused Hyeongsan’s offers and instead shared the truth with him.

From then on, Cho Hagon grew wary of the Hyeongsan Sect.

Perhaps sensing this, after failing to sway Akyang’s sects, Hyeongsan ceased all activity there.

It seemed they had given up on Akyang.

Months later, one day—

“Master Cho! There’s a serious problem!”

A martial artist burst into Geumdojang, shouting with a pale face.

Cho Hagon looked at him, puzzled. Nothing serious had happened in their peaceful life.

The man gasped, “Master Cho’s eldest son… Master Cho Sang-hyun… has been attacked by the Sujuks of Dongjeong Lake…”

Cho Hagon’s eyes widened.

If it involved Master Cho’s eldest son, it could only be Cho Sang-hyun.

At twenty-three, Cho Sang-hyun had already reached the peak realm and earned the nickname “Golden Dragon of the Water,” the finest talent in Akyang.

He was already notorious as the bane of the water bandits operating around Dongjeong Lake, renowned for his exceptional swordsmanship and martial skills…

Chohagon hurriedly asked, “What are you saying? Speak clearly. Are you telling me Sanghyun got into trouble with the water bandits?”

The warrior’s face twisted as if he was about to break down in tears. “I… I’m afraid… Lord Cho, you’ve been captured by the water bandits.”

“What?!”

“What did you say?!”

At those words, not only Chohagon but also his daughter, Geum Doseonja Choseorin, who was standing beside him, turned pale.

The warrior began to explain the situation in detail.

“At first, it was just a small boat. A few water bandits came near the lakeshore, trying to raid a merchant ship. As usual, Lord Cho took his boat out to confront them…”

According to the warrior, when Geum Dosuryong Cho Sanghyun approached the bandits’ boat, they immediately tried to flee.

But their speed wasn’t fast enough, so Sanghyun gave chase. Just as he was about to catch up, two hidden boats suddenly appeared and surrounded his vessel.

Choseorin, clearly confused, asked, “But even if there were three boats, they’re just water bandits, right? How could my brother have been captured by mere bandits?”

The warrior shook his head. “That’s the thing. They didn’t look like ordinary water bandits. Even from a distance, their skill was extraordinary. Their coordinated sword attacks were incredibly threatening…”

At that, Chohagon cut him off, urgency in his voice. “Wait—did you say they all used swords? All of them?”

“Yes, sir.”

That was highly unusual.

Swords require years of dedicated training to wield effectively, unlike sabers or other polearms. That’s why most outlaws preferred sabers or short spears resembling harpoons.

Yet these men who captured Sanghyun all used swords.

Chohagon muttered grimly, “No way…”

With a hardened expression, he quickly turned to his daughter. “I’m going after them. Somehow, I don’t think they’re ordinary water bandits.”

Choseorin, understanding the gravity of his words, nodded solemnly. “Please be careful, Father.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll bring your brother back safely.”

After saying that, Chohagon took off like a storm.

Choseorin watched his retreating figure—the strongest man she knew.

She worried for her brother, but not for her father.

Her father, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, was the greatest master in Ak Yang. He had never once been defeated in front of his children and was like a living legend to her.

Though quiet and unassuming, his power was such that if he ever sought to build a sect, he could have founded a massive clan in no time.

So she silently prayed for her brother’s safety.

“Please bring my brother back safely, Father.”

Just then, a voice she hadn’t heard before echoed from atop the wall of the Geumdo estate.

“Oh? So this is Geum Doseonja? You’re quite pretty. Mind if I take you?”

Startled, Choseorin looked up to the right wall.

A man in his thirties, unfamiliar to her, grinned wickedly down at her.

She quickly drew her saber and shouted, “Who are you?!”

Clang! Clang!

Choseorin and the nearby warriors drew their weapons, aiming at him.

Then, from the opposite wall, another voice called out.

“Hey, we’re not here to kill her—just to persuade. If you take her, she won’t be swayed.”

Shaken, Choseorin turned to see another man, also in his mid-to-late thirties, standing on the left wall.

She had no idea when he’d appeared. It was clear he was a master, even more skilled than her.

Choseorin swallowed hard.

Two unknown masters, their skills and intentions a mystery.

And they chose to appear at the Geumdo estate when her father and brother were both absent.

This was no coincidence.

Biting her lip hard, she shouted, “This is the Geumdo estate of the Invincible Geumdo Master, Chohagon! Do you know whose grounds you’ve trespassed?!”

They just chuckled.

“Invincible, huh? What a cute nickname. To call yourself ‘invincible’ with such mediocre skill… I might have to start living in Ak Yang myself.”

“Frogs in a well are all the same. They need to be dragged out to see the real world. How about we do just that?”

“Sounds good!”

No sooner had they finished speaking than the two men charged at Choseorin.

Whoosh!

Prepared, Choseorin shouted to the warriors around her, “Attack!”

But as she swung her saber, she froze at the sight of their blades—radiating a brilliant, sky-blue aura.

Shu-shaak!

Chaaak!

“Ahhh!”

“Pinnacle… aah!”

“Ugh!”

“Miss, get down, aah!”

It took less than the time to drink a cup of tea for the twenty or so warriors around Choseorin to fall.

Their swords were sliced through like tofu by the radiant blades.

The warriors were slaughtered before Choseorin’s eyes, unable to even properly block a single strike.

Despair filled her gaze as she stared blankly at the glowing sword auras and the fallen guards.

“This can’t be…”

Her brother, Cho Sanghyun, had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, but she, barely twenty, had not.

Yet their sword auras were far more vivid and powerful than even her brother’s.

They had to be masters of at least mid-level pinnacle skill, with internal energy cultivated for over seventy years.

Choseorin trembled faintly. “You do know that my father, the Invincible Geumdo Master Chohagon, has reached the supreme pinnacle, right? You’re no match for him.”

The man chuckled again. “Sure, maybe. But we have supreme pinnacle masters too. There might be only one in Ak Yang’s well, but we have several.”

Choseorin’s eyes widened.

If they truly had multiple supreme pinnacle masters, then even her father wasn’t safe.

“Could it be that you…”

Before she could finish, she felt a hand clamp down on the back of her neck.

Her vision darkened.

She had been struck with a pressure point technique—and lost consciousness.