Episode 156: Yangyang
The disciples of the Taeui Sword Sect slowly approached Dang Mujin and his companions. Though they seemed a bit taken aback by the sudden change in their target, there was no sign of retreat or hesitation.
There were two reasons for this. First, they had a clear motive: avenging the former head of the Taeui Sword Sect. Second, the disciples were skilled martial artists, ranging from second-rate to first-rate, which made them quite formidable.
With such skills, they could easily intimidate not just the townsfolk but even those who had dabbled in martial arts. In practical terms, the martial prowess of a second-rate fighter isn’t vastly different from that of a top-tier master. Moreover, until one reaches the pinnacle of first-rate, the daunting wall of mastery remains elusive, making respect for true masters somewhat abstract.
In this sudden standoff between Dang Mujin’s group and the Taeui Sword Sect, the most bewildered person was undoubtedly Hyun Gong.
“What on earth is happening?”
He had invited the Taeui Sword Sect with good intentions, yet the atmosphere had turned dangerously tense. If the Taeui Sword Sect had been just another acquaintance, Hyun Gong might have quietly stepped back and sided with Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae. However, the problem was that the Taeui Sword Sect had a rather close relationship with the Wudang Sect. They were part of the “Jeongcheon Alliance,” which the Wudang Sect had formed by uniting various sects in Hubei.
The Wudang Sect naturally led the Jeongcheon Alliance, but several notable regional sects were also part of it. Hyun Gong had grand ambitions to unify the scattered alliances across the central plains under the Jeongcheon Alliance. Thus, he regularly attended events and ceremonies of the alliance’s member sects. He had even attended the funeral of the former head of the Taeui Sword Sect a few months ago.
In short, it was unthinkable for Hyun Gong to side with Dang Mujin’s group against the Taeui Sword Sect. Conversely, siding with the Taeui Sword Sect against Dang Mujin’s group was equally problematic. Making enemies of the future head of the Namgung family and the future leader of the Beggars’ Sect could have unpredictable repercussions, and Hyun Gong would likely bear the brunt of the consequences.
Therefore, Hyun Gong desperately hoped to avoid a fight. No matter who won, it would not end well for him. He would be left with nothing but endless responsibilities.
Fortunately, the balance of power seemed to be in favor of the Taeui Sword Sect. Hyun Gong was certain that their forces outmatched Dang Mujin’s group. A dozen second-rate martial artists could easily subdue Hong Geolgae, and the remaining first-rate fighters could handle Namgung Myung and Dang Mujin. They could pair a couple of first-rate fighters against Dang Mujin and five or six against Namgung Myung.
In such a lopsided situation, even top-tier martial artists often choose to retreat rather than stand their ground. Neither Namgung Myung nor Dang Mujin were foolish, so they would likely do the same.
“Even the assassins from Salmak might get involved. It’s overwhelmingly disadvantageous, so they’ll surely flee.”
Hyun Gong turned to look at Dang Mujin’s group. However, contrary to his expectations, the three were preparing for battle, their expressions brimming with confidence, as if they were certain of victory.
”…What on earth gives them such confidence?”
Baffled, Hyun Gong immediately sent a telepathic message to Namgung Myung, attempting to mediate.
Are you really planning to fight?
Yes. Let’s finish this quickly and head to Salmak.
Are you serious?
Of course. We’re just losing an unexpected ally. It’s not a big deal.
Calm down. If you fight here, Salmak will get involved.
We’ll deal with everything before Salmak arrives.
Hyun Gong squinted at Namgung Myung. Defeating the Taeui Sword Sect before Salmak intervenes? That seemed impossible.
He sent another telepathic message.
I’ll try to calm the Taeui Sword Sect, so retreat for now.
Retreat? Think logically. We killed the former head and the current head’s father. How can you calm them?
Hyun Gong was at a loss for words at Namgung Myung’s precise point. He could feel the presence and murmurs of the Taeui Sword Sect disciples creeping closer from behind. It was dizzying.
“I must prevent a clash at all costs!”
Desperately racking his brain, Hyun Gong came up with a solution. He decided to use the loudest and most dramatic technique he knew: the Thunderclap Palm.
Boom!
As Hyun Gong thrust his palm skyward, a deafening explosion echoed, as if something had burst. The sudden noise caused both the approaching Taeui Sword Sect martial artists and Dang Mujin’s group to pause.
Hyun Gong shouted loudly, “Calm down! It’s only right to understand the situation before drawing weapons! I, Hyun Gong of the Wudang Sect, pledge on my name and honor to hear both sides impartially and determine the truth!”
However, Hyun Gong had no intention of actually mediating. If this could be resolved through dialogue, the situation wouldn’t have escalated to this point.
The real reason for his Thunderclap Palm was to create a common enemy. The assassins from Salmak, who were surely on high alert, couldn’t have missed the thunderous sound. They would undoubtedly come to investigate.
Once the assassins appeared, Namgung Myung’s group and the Taeui Sword Sect would have no choice but to join forces against them. Even those who bickered would find their grudges melting away when fighting back-to-back in a life-threatening situation.
Moreover, Namgung Myung and Dang Mujin must have had their reasons for confronting the former head of the Taeui Sword Sect. With the right atmosphere, there might be a chance to resolve the issue peacefully.
Hyun Gong shivered with excitement. To devise such a plan in a single breath—what a stroke of genius.
“My strategy is brilliant. My skills and intellect are truly unparalleled.”
It seemed Hyun Gong’s plan was working. On the rooftop of a building opposite, dark figures began to emerge. They were the assassins from Salmak.
The assassins observed the tense standoff by the well, trying to grasp the situation.
Hyun Gong waited until enough assassins had gathered, then dramatically pointed to the rooftop.
“Look! The vile assassins of Salmak have shown themselves! Heroes, postpone your quarrel and defeat the true enemy first!”
However, contrary to Hyun Gong’s plan, Dang Mujin’s group and the Taeui Sword Sect hesitated, not turning their backs to each other.
It might have been better if it ended there, but instead, a subtle exchange of glances began between the Taeui Sword Sect disciples and the Salmak assassins.
”…Something’s not right.”
The martial artists of the Taeui Sword Sect and the assassins of Salmak stared at each other for a long moment, then, as if on cue, turned their gazes toward Dang Mujin’s group.
Hyun Gong immediately understood the situation. He had hoped for Dang Mujin’s group and the Taeui Sword Sect to unite against Salmak, but instead, the Taeui Sword Sect and Salmak had formed an alliance against them.
”…This is a disaster.”
Hyun Gong felt a wave of dizziness. He couldn’t think of a way to resolve the situation.
“How did it come to this?”
His heart sank, and he felt tears welling up. He should never have gotten involved in the first place.
Should he help Namgung Myung’s group escape? Or should he assist the Taeui Sword Sect and the assassins in taking them down?
He considered that if he kept his mouth shut, he might be able to cover up the deaths of the three here.
“No, if even one escapes, I’m finished. What should I do?”
At that moment, he noticed Dang Mujin’s group taking a step back. Perhaps realizing they couldn’t handle both the Taeui Sword Sect and Salmak, they seemed to have decided to flee. Hyun Gong saw a faint glimmer of hope.
Dang Mujin shouted, “Now!”
With that brief command, Dang Mujin’s group sprinted toward the outskirts of Yangyang. Their speed was such that the Taeui Sword Sect, filled only with first and second-rate fighters, couldn’t catch up. Four particularly swift assassins from Salmak gave chase.
Hyun Gong quickly sent a telepathic message to the head of the Taeui Sword Sect.
The head of the Taeui Sword Sect nodded, seemingly trusting in the close relationship between their sect and the Wudang Sect, as well as his personal connection with Hyun Gong, who had attended the former head’s funeral.
Hyun Gong followed the assassins, pursuing Dang Mujin.
He hadn’t yet decided which side to support, the Taeui Sword Sect or Dang Mujin’s group. But now was the time to act. If he lost track of Dang Mujin’s group, everything would be for naught.
Hyun Gong diligently employed his movement technique.
Dang Mujin’s group led the way, with four top-tier assassins trailing them. Hyun Gong followed at the rear.
Maintaining a slight distance behind the assassins, Hyun Gong noticed them glancing back at him, seemingly wary.
He sent a telepathic message to the one who appeared to be the leader of the assassins.
The assassins didn’t doubt Hyun Gong’s words. They were aware of the Jeongcheon Alliance and the relationship between the Wudang Sect and the Taeui Sword Sect.
After all, isn’t the purpose of a smaller sect joining a larger one to prepare for days like this?
The assassins were wary of Hyun-gong, but they didn’t show any overt hostility.
In fact, Hyun-gong’s proposal was a welcome one for the assassins.
Even with four top-tier assassins, Tang Mujin’s group was no pushover. Winning might still mean losing some of their own, which was a risk they couldn’t afford. They had already suffered significant losses fighting the strange creatures, and any further depletion could threaten the very existence of their hideout.
But with Hyun-gong as a reliable ally, their worries could be eased. The greater the numbers, the more exponentially destructive their force could become.
The leader of the assassins, Black Butterfly, sent a message to Hyun-gong.
They had been running for some time when Hyun-gong noticed Namgung Myung, who was leading the group, glancing back at him with suspicion. His eyes seemed to ask, “Hyun-gong, why are you moving with the assassins?”
Hyun-gong quickly reassessed the situation.
‘We’re far enough from Yangyang. The disciples of the Taeui Sword Sect won’t know what’s happening here.’
‘If I side with the assassins, I can easily overpower Namgung Myung’s group. Conversely, I could join Namgung Myung and still have a good chance against the assassins.’
‘If I team up with the assassins to take down Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae, the only ones who might see it favorably are those from the Taeui Sword Sect.’
‘If the Taeui Sword Sect claims they collaborated with the assassins to target Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae, the elders will understand my decision.’
‘Even if the assassins try to frame me, no one would believe their story.’
‘The future head of the Namgung family and the next leader of the Beggars’ Sect hold far more sway than the Taeui Sword Sect.’
It took only a moment to sort through these thoughts.
All his worries drifted away like dandelion seeds in a spring breeze.
The chaotic world became clear again, and Hyun-gong’s eyes sharpened with resolve.
Now, all that remained was to act decisively.
Hyun-gong’s movements changed.
Instead of the Flowing Cloud Technique he had been using, he switched to the pinnacle of the Wudang Sect’s movement skills, the Cloud Ladder Technique.
His body stretched like taffy, swiftly closing the gap with the assassins.
The assassins, unaware of Hyun-gong’s light, cloud-like steps, didn’t notice his approach in time.
In an instant, Hyun-gong drew his sword, unleashing the Taiji Sword technique.
His blade pierced the back of the assassin running at the rear.
A soft, slicing sound.
A stifled cry.
A thud as the body crumpled to the ground.
Among those present, only Hong Geolgae, being a first-rate fighter, failed to notice the sudden turn of events behind them.
The assassins, startled by Hyun-gong’s unexpected attack, turned to look back in confusion.
Namgung Myung and Tang Mujin also halted, trying to grasp what had just happened.
Facing the many eyes upon him, Hyun-gong shouted boldly.
“Villains of the assassin’s den! Your reign of terror ends today!”