NOVEL WEB Chapter 30
“Master Myeong, if you were going to hide, why didn’t you do it thoroughly?”
“I did my best! But how could I possibly hide everything perfectly when that massive cave collapsed entirely?!”
It makes sense that with a cave that large collapsing entirely, it would be difficult.
Unless it’s some secluded place, rumors would spread inevitably.
Such a huge commotion happened, and either someone witnessed Master Myeong fleeing or perhaps a subordinate betrayed him.
A betrayal indeed.
This is what makes the Central Plains so unpredictable.
“If you hand over the secret manual, we might spare your life!”
“Hah!”
It’s obvious you’re going to kill regardless; who’s fooling whom?
Judging by your killing intent as you approach, you must be from the evil sects.
Their appearance alone conveys some arrogance.
“Master Baek, do you know where the Golden Phoenix Sect is?”
“They are a sect from the Wufeng County above Seomun County. They are known for their fast swordsmanship, especially the Lightning Sword Technique. I’ve heard that their sect leader has recently reached the ultimate level, but seeing this is unexpected…”
“The Golden Phoenix Sect… is that their name?”
“It’s both the leader’s name and the sect’s name.”
Naming must have been a hassle or something.
Anyway, fast swordplay…
There’s fast swordplay, and fast knighthood.
There are certainly many obsessed with speed. Although, speed is generally advantageous.
Judging by their interest in the ‘Fractional Eighteen Swords,’ it’s probably about high-level fast swordplay or simply high-level martial arts.
It could just be because it’s high-level martial arts.
Regardless of practical usage, it can be sold for a high price.
…
Anyway, negotiations must be done. I caught Hajar’s eye.
Since this is troublesome, you do it.
I’ve done my part just by gauging the situation with these guys. Hajar nodded and approached the sect leader who seemed capable of singing well.
“How did you know to ambush us?”
“The fact that Master Myeong obtained a precious item is already public knowledge. The information about it coming from where the earthquake happened has spread too. We acquired the route details from the security agency people you contacted and tracked you.”
…So, you thought that guy was a mere merchant?
Truly, it’s Master Myeong.
You never disappoint.
“Do you not realize that what you’re doing is akin to thievery?”
“Who doesn’t know that? However, if the benefits outweigh the risks, it might be worth the challenge. Especially when it’s about the secret manual of a top-notch martial arts sect, recognized by all!”
They’re willing to take risks for high-level martial arts skills.
Even with a skill gap, they might think they have a chance due to their numbers.
“We are from the Hainan Sword Sect.”
“We already know that! There’s no martial artist in Guangdong who doesn’t recognize the Hainan Sword Sect’s uniform!”
“And yet, you’re picking a fight with us?”
Hajar tried to ward them off using the sect’s reputation this time.
It wasn’t a bad choice.
Since they’re from the evil sect, there’s no fear of backlash from oppressing small and medium sects. Even though Hainan Sword Sect might be the weakest among the top nine sects, the top nine are still the top nine.
Small sects couldn’t possibly handle Hainan Sword Sect.
Even if they can’t match the numbers, they can’t overcome the fundamental difference in martial arts skills.
The famous Hainan Thirty-six Swords, renowned in Jianghu.
The Lightning Sword Technique that only they possess.
They are just a medium-sized sect, so their martial arts probably aren’t outstanding.
Judging from the sect leader reaching the ultimate level, their arts aren’t terrible, but not amazing either.
“We have numerical superiority! Even the Hainan Sword Sect can’t overcome that! And in these layered mountains… Who will know if we quietly bury you?”
They seem to think they have all the advantages and even spoke about killing without a trace.
“We’ll handle you with mostly low-tier fighters? Did you think that would work?”
“Against numbers, even experts fall. And we’ve also grown strong, cultivating many experts. We have over twenty top martial artists in our sect!”
Knowing they can’t win by skill, they plan to win by quantity.
With nearly a threefold manpower difference, even a mere round-robin could be dangerous.
“If you seek bloodshed, then we shall not hesitate to draw our swords either.”
Hajar made a final ultimatum.
Even though there’s no sign of them retreating, it’s a threat thrown out just in case. Considering the reputation of the Hainan Sword Sect, it’s quite an effective move.
However, the response was a cold rejection.
“Everybody, draw your swords!”
“So, you’ve chosen death.”
Why not?
I just wanted to say this once.
I ignored the people staring at me as I slowly walked towards the Golden Phoenix Sect.
The Golden Phoenix Sect’s sect leader, Master Golden Phoenix, eyed me curiously as I appeared beside Hajar.
Seeing a colored-eyed swordsman in the southern Guangdong area due to maritime trade isn’t unusual, but for the inland-based Golden Phoenix Sect, encountering a colored-eyed person would be quite rare—quite natural in this sense.
“Seeing a colored-eyed martial artist here, the world sure does have its wonders.”
“Hey, Golden Phoenix Sect’s Golden Phoenix, we have no intention of handing over the Fractional Eighteen Swords, so scram. Otherwise, if you’re split in half, don’t blame us.”
“How can this colored-eyed person speak the Central Plains language?”
Why are you surprised by that point?
“Does it matter if I speak Central Plains or Dong language? Since you’ve decided to fight, worrying about your neck is the best course of action.”
I shrugged mockingly.
His temples were visibly twitching at my reaction, as if indicating he was deeply irritated.
“Disciples of the Golden Phoenix Sect! Surround them! Not a single rat escapes!”
WAHHHHH!
The fierce cries shook the mountain paths so strongly that even the birds took off.
And so, the Golden Phoenix Sect martial artists began encircling the Hainan Sword Sect and the Falling Moon Sect martial artists.
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“We’re surrounded.”
“We won’t lose to these evil sect members!”
“Agreed!”
Behind me, the sound of drawn swords echoed as both the Golden Phoenix Sect and righteous sect members began to release their murderous intents. The situation was tense but not yet escalated into actual combat.
William calmly observed the situation.
“We’re severely outnumbered. However, the skills of our martial artists are superior. I’ll plan on minimizing casualties if possible.”
What emotion should one avoid most in war?
Ask someone who’s been through it, and eight out of ten would answer “fear.”
“Iron Martial Spirit! Elder Baek! Young Hero Ha-jin! Come forward!”
At William’s call, the three peak experts stood beside him.
The skilled members of the Hainan Sword Sect, having witnessed his prowess against the Demonic Sect, followed without hesitation; Iron Martial Spirit cared about his disciples’ safety and thus complied with William’s command.
“Great Hero Wi, what are your plans?”
“Quickly behead their sect leader.”
“If the sect leader is dead, it doesn’t matter what these people do afterward. A group of ants can’t threaten an owl simply because there are many of them.”
Any group, especially evil sects with loose ties, collapses when its leader is gone.
Thus, William had no intention of showing mercy and planned to suppress the situation utterly.
“I’ll take the sect leader…”
“No. The four of us will deal with the Golden Phoenix Sect leader.”
“What did you say?”
“What was that?”
“What nonsense is this?!”
Confused, Hajar and Elder Baek looked at him. What does he mean to single out only one? But William, knowing they’d ask, briefly explained.
“If the sect leader dies, what purpose do these minions serve? Would many ants threaten an owl simply because of their numbers?”
“Why are you declaring this directly so the Golden Phoenix Sect leader can hear?!”
At Elder Baek’s question, everyone turned their gaze toward him.
The Golden Phoenix Sect leader, realizing he was now a target for the four peak experts, was secretly sweating.
“What exactly is this colored-eyed person? How does the righteous sect of Hainan Sword Sect agree with him?”
“But…”
“Which is more important, the safety of the disciples or the sect’s honor?”
The most terrifying thing on the battlefield isn’t a highly skilled warrior—it’s an unexpected blind stab.
These peak level experts were better off but still, the disciples including Mo Guang and Hye-ryeong, and the Falling Moon Sect members might not fare so well.
They, too, realized William’s proposed strategy was the most effective.
“Hmph!”
Elder Baek and Hajar stared with irritation at William.
Even Iron Martial Spirit thought it wasn’t a bad idea, as he gripped his staff, ready to attack the Golden Phoenix Sect leader.
“What lunacy!”
Now in this situation, the Golden Phoenix Sect Leader couldn’t make any rash moves.
With mostly second-rate fighters, it was already difficult enough to block a peak expert’s attacks, let alone having four of them. If they mishandled the situation, the sect’s sole peak expert could vanish in the blink of an eye.
For martial artists who didn’t fight with strict military discipline but relied on high-level experts, the strategy of tying down experts with numbers and defeating them one by one was unrealistic, especially when dealing with a sect full of unruly wanderers from the evil sects.
“How disgraceful, righteous sect members resorting to group assaults!”
“Then why don’t you just leave?”
Caught off-guard by William’s retort, the Golden Phoenix Sect leader could only roll his eyes, unable to come up with a counter.
‘If those four charge, not even a single breath would last before I die! And what’s the point if I die, even with the secret manuals?’
Unwilling to accept that his poor assumptions led to this situation, the foolish leader cursed.
“What cowards! You call yourselves righteous?!”
“If you want your neck to be neatly cut by these cowards and meet King Yama, I won’t stop you.”
A crooked smirk appeared on William’s face. The very sight caused an angry vein on the Golden Phoenix Sect leader’s forehead to pop.
“If we are to fight, allow us to see the Fractional Eighteen Swords’ secrets before I die.”
After saying that, William slowly reached into his robe.
All eyes were on him.
The secret manual of the Fractional Eighteen Swords.
It’s in the colored-eyed man’s possession?
Even those who knew it was false watched curiously to see what he would do.
Slowly, his hand emerged from his robe.
However, instead of the legendary manual that represented the Dotting School, nothing appeared in his grasp.
Just an empty hand.
William chuckled and spoke.
“Did you fall for it, Golden Phoenix?”
“You… you bastard…”
“Enough sightseeing. Now leave. If you go now, you can preserve your forces and live comfortably in Seomun County if you just avoid coming here. If you retreat, we’ll let this incident slide. If not…”
He raised his thumb, turned it mid-air, and gestured it downward, imitating a slash across the neck.
Although it was the first time they’d seen the gesture, everyone understood its meaning.
Clenching his teeth, the Golden Phoenix Sect leader turned his back.
He knew the evil sect members wouldn’t avenge him, pretending to be righteous ones like this.
“Damn it! We’re retreating!”
‘What wickedness! Righteous sect members acting so shamelessly by ganging up!’
The once confident leader of the Golden Phoenix Sect had no choice but to retreat with bitterness after being intimidated by the ruthless William.
With no expectations of vengeance from the evil sects behaving like righteous ones, the sect leader had no other choice but to retreat.
—
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The End.