Chapter 8 – Namgung Hwa-rin (5)

There was nothing more foolish than calling out the name of a technique in a real battle, but this was a duel, not a fight to the death. As such, announcing one’s technique was a sign of respect for the opponent.

Namgung Hwi shouted the technique’s name, and a sword aura like a blue thunderbolt shot toward Yu-jin.

‘I should probably counter with the clan’s martial arts, right?’

Revealing his true divine arts would be madness, Yu-jin decided. In any case, the Galactic Sword Arts he had learned from the clan were already considered among the best in the martial world.

It was also true that this alone was more than enough to handle Namgung Hwi.

Yu-jin infused his inner energy into the Sky Sword, creating a silver sword aura, and swung it at the auras Namgung Hwi had unleashed. Since he was simply creating a sword aura, there was no need to call out a technique name.

*Boom!*

As the sword auras collided, a massive burst of light erupted, followed by a thunderous roar that was hard to believe came from the clash of swords.

However, both men knew well that this was merely a light exchange to gauge each other’s capabilities.

“Now, let’s begin for real! Hundred Thunders of the Azure Sky!”

A blue sword light burst forth from the tip of Namgung Hwi’s sword. It was a sword aura that seemed like a hundred bolts of lightning combined.

One could tell its power was immense without even having to face it directly. Yet, Yu-jin’s face remained full of composure.

“Star Arrows of the Milky Way.”

A wave of stars blossomed from Yu-jin’s sword. Dozens of silver sword auras deflected all of Namgung Hwi’s attacks and immediately rushed toward him.

Namgung Hwi felt a flicker of bewilderment at how easily his attack was repelled. But it lasted only for a moment.

He gripped his sword tightly and swung it through the air. A blue barrier formed before him.

“A sword barrier?”

The direct descendants of the True Dragon Sword Clan watching couldn’t hide their admiration. A sword barrier was a technique that only masters who had reached a considerably high level could use.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely surprising for a rising master like Namgung Hwi to use a sword barrier, but his ability to wield it so naturally was worthy of praise.

*CRRRRASH!*

Having blocked the sword auras Yu-jin had sent, Namgung Hwi smiled at him.

Yu-jin looked back at Namgung Hwi with an expression of disbelief. It was slightly irritating to see an opponent he could kill in a single blow act this way.

While he was still sticking to his policy of thoroughly concealing himself, he felt the need to reveal a little more of his skill. Yu-jin infused his inner energy into his sword.

*RUMMMBLE!*

‘What?!’

Namgung Hwi nodded as he felt Yu-jin’s energy pressing down on him like a mountain. Just as his good friend Kang Yong-hoon had said, Yu-jin was no fake.

And then he saw it. The brilliant silver sword ki forming on Yu-jin’s blade.

Realizing he couldn’t afford to underestimate him, Namgung Hwi decided to use the ultimate technique he could muster. A blue sword ki began to form on his sword as well.

“Galactic Dawn.”

“Heaven-Shaking Thunderstrike.”

Both men shouted the names of their techniques and swung their swords. Two techniques carrying immense power flew toward each other.

It was at that moment a single sword cut in between them, just before their techniques could collide.

*BOOM! KABOOM!*

As the deafening roar echoed, both Yu-jin’s and Namgung Hwi’s ultimate techniques vanished in an instant. The two men quickly turned to see where the sword had come from and were left speechless.

The clan head, Kang Yu-hyeon, was looking at them with a smile.

“As expected of a son of the Namgung Clan. Truly, that friend of mine, Namgung Ok, has raised his son well. So, Young Master Namgung, what do you think of my eldest’s skill?”

“It’s incredible, truly. Only today have I realized just how meaningless the words of the public are.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. It’s a terrible thing to run one’s mouth without knowing the facts.”

Kang Yu-hyeon laughed heartily and nodded at Namgung Hwi’s words. The complexions of his wives, who were watching him, were not good.

Ye Un-hyang’s expression was poor for a different reason; she had never imagined her son was this powerful. She resolved to have a serious talk with Yu-jin.

“Father, I will take my leave now.”

Yu-jin bowed to Kang Yu-hyeon and turned to leave. As he did, he saw his younger siblings.

Even those who knew a fraction of the truth about him had not expected him to be able to wield sword ki so freely, and their faces were deeply contorted.

However, among his younger brothers, Kang Yong-hoon, who knew him best, stared at Yu-jin with sharp eyes.

[I went easy on him because he’s your friend.]

At Yu-jin’s telepathic message, Kang Yong-hoon clenched his fists tightly. He glared coldly at Yu-jin’s slowly retreating back.

And at that moment, Kang Yong-hoon was not the only one watching Yu-jin.

A woman with a face full of various emotions—surprise, joy, bewilderment—Namgung Hwa-rin, was also watching him. She soon began to move in the direction he had gone.

***

“Ending it like this feels so anticlimactic. It was a good fight, though.”

Yu-jin grumbled at the all-too-abrupt conclusion. But when he arrived at the annex, his four maids brought him good news, and he broke into a wide smile.

“We’ve succeeded in finding the location of the Blood Wolf Society’s branch that attacked you, Young Master. The Red Flower Pavilion, a rather famous tavern in the Nanchang commercial district, is said to be their secret base. Ran is currently observing them.”

At Yeon’s words, Yu-jin nodded and waved his hand. Something flew from inside the annex and landed in his grasp.

It was a scabbard engraved with a jet-black dragon. The blade within was unseen, but the hilt was carved in the shape of a black dragon’s head.

The sword’s name was Ink Dragon.

There were countless weapons in the world, but the twelve most outstanding among them were called the Twelve Treasures, and their owners were the envy of all martial artists.

And the Ink Dragon Sword that Yu-jin possessed was a masterwork so exceptional it ranked third among them.

“I need to give a warning to those who don’t know their place. Now, let’s go, girls.”

As Yu-jin leaped up, his four maids followed. The Red Flower Pavilion was not far, so they arrived quickly.

“Good work, Ran.”

Ran gave a slight nod at Yu-jin’s praise. Yu-jin put on a human-skin mask he had prepared in advance and readied himself to enter the Red Flower Pavilion.

“You all will kill any assassins that come out of here. You know what traits assassins have, right?”

The four women nodded at his question, and Yu-jin smiled in satisfaction.

As a customer entered, a waiter approached to serve them. Yu-jin observed the waiter and could tell that his muscles and body were optimized for the martial arts of assassins.

It wasn’t a difficult task for Yu-jin, who had reached the level of a top master in the martial world. He opened his mouth slightly.

“This is the Blood Wolf Society’s branch, right?”

As soon as the waiter heard the words “Blood Wolf Society,” the smile vanished from his face. He naturally pulled a dagger from his robes and threw it at Yu-jin. But Yu-jin simply extended a hand and caught the dagger of the assassin disguised as a waiter.

“Oh, quick reflexes. I’ll return it.”

Yu-jin threw the dagger back lightly. But to the assassin who was its target, it was anything but light.

*SPLAT!*

The dagger didn’t just embed itself in its target. It literally blew the flesh it penetrated apart.

“Aaargh!”

“Gahhh!”

The patrons in the tavern screamed as human blood and flesh suddenly splattered everywhere. But Yu-jin paid them no mind and looked at those who appeared to be assassins.

“Die!”

Two assassins disguised as waiters rushed at Yu-jin, thrusting daggers coated in deadly poison.

But they never reached him. Before they could, Yu-jin had grabbed both assassins by the neck. He smiled and twisted their necks.

“You may have started this, but I’m the one who declares when it’s over.”

Yu-jin smiled as he went upstairs. Assassins doubling as courtesans ambushed him on the stairs, but before they could even touch his body, they were incinerated without a trace by the Verdant Scale Poison Flame, a greenish sword flame that formed from the scabbard of the Ink Dragon Sword.

***

The Red Flower Pavilion, located in the bustling commercial district of Nanchang, was popular with men, and the reason was its courtesans.

Not only were they beautiful, but their bodies and skills were more than enough to captivate men.

On top of that, the food and alcohol were excellent, drawing in even ordinary people, making it a truly remarkable establishment.

But there was one thing people didn’t know: this place was a secret branch of the Blood Wolf Society, known as the greatest organization of assassins.

“Hmm, was it a mistake?”

Red Wolf, the head of the Nanchang branch of the Blood Wolf Society, was one of only five special-grade assassins within the organization.

But even he was now deeply regretting something: attacking a direct descendant of the True Dragon Sword Clan in broad daylight.

“Damn those clients. They should have given us better information.”

The clients had said Kang Yu-jin’s martial skill was pathetic, but someone pathetic could not have survived an attack from the Blood Wolf Society’s assassins.

Even if he had help nearby, the assassins of the Blood Wolf Society had the skill to target only Yu-jin precisely. As Red Wolf was lamenting, his face suddenly contorted.

“Hm? A scream? The smell of blood?”

Just as he registered it, the door burst open and a courtesan ran in, fell to her knees, and cried out.

“Branch Leader! An enemy! We’re under attack—.”

The courtesan could not finish her sentence. The Verdant Scale Poison Flame engulfed her, erasing her without a trace.

“Thanks for the directions.”

Yu-jin, wearing the human-skin mask, spoke and then looked at Red Wolf. Red Wolf instinctively knew that the man before him was a monster.

Red Wolf quickly threw sixteen hidden weapons. Yu-jin deflected them with his scabbard and then posed a question.

“Doesn’t your instinct scream it? That you’re no match for me.”

“You blocked one move and you’re already so confident—Guaaaargh!”

In an instant, Yu-jin had severed both of Red Wolf’s arms. The immense shock forced Red Wolf to his knees. Yu-jin then stomped on his head and pressed the pressure points on his arms to stop the bleeding.

“I’m not in a very good mood today. If you answer my questions obediently, I’ll leave your corpse intact.”

“Kill me!”

Red Wolf shouted through the pain. Yu-jin sighed, then cut off both of Red Wolf’s legs and stopped the bleeding again. It was a delicate consideration on Yu-jin’s part to prevent him from dying of blood loss.

“Guaaaargh!”

Red Wolf let out another harrowing scream. Yu-jin brought his face close to Red Wolf’s ear and spoke.

“Actually, I already know who the client is and why they’re targeting me.”

“Th-then why!”

“Your deaths are a warning. A warning to those who targeted me without knowing their place. Sorry for messing with you. But since you didn’t listen to me first, I can’t leave a body behind.”

The Verdant Scale Poison Flame rose from the scabbard of the Ink Dragon Sword once more, and in the blink of an eye, Red Wolf’s body was swallowed by the flames and vanished.

When Yu-jin descended again, the Red Flower Pavilion was a sea of blood. Not a single assassin was left alive. But the blood-soaked night was not yet over.