Invincible with Twin Swords

Chapter 9 : Mad Wind Blood Axe, Han Deoksam!

The Nine Dragons Stronghold, which collected a small toll from passersby on the outskirts of the Dubang Mountain fork, actually had eight members.

The stronghold leader, Blood Dragon Han Deoksam, always wanted to fill the number to nine to match the name of the mountain stronghold, but these days, this profession was on the decline, so it was very difficult to find volunteers.

Those who were good with a sword had a decent option of becoming an escort rather than a mountain bandit.

So among the eight members of the Nine Dragons Stronghold, the only one who had learned martial arts was the stronghold leader. The rest were chosen for their fierce looks. In fact, Deoksam alone was enough. Because everyone would drop everything they had and run away just by him taking out his axe.

Deoksam had stayed only on Dubang Mountain until now.

It was the place where he grew up and where his master was buried. And there was also his master's last will.

He was abandoned on this mountain when he was young. It was fate that his master, who was living in seclusion on Dubang Mountain, found him.

Mountain-Breaking Great Axe, Han Paecheon.

His master said he was a well-known axe master in the unorthodox faction. He boasted that he had smashed the heads of many righteous faction guys with a single large axe. Then he was injured in a joint attack by the righteous faction guys and was living in seclusion on this Dubang Mountain when he found the abandoned child.

In his later years, he reflected on his evil deeds and decided to accumulate three virtues before he died, and gave him the name Deoksam (Three Virtues).

The first virtue was raising the abandoned child with all his heart, and the second virtue was passing on all his martial arts to that child.

"What is the third virtue?"

"Ah...! That... the... the third virtue, you should find it. It is your homework."

In fact, it seemed that his master had not thought of the third one in advance.

Han Deoksam had the innate divine strength and outstanding martial talent to surpass his master, but his master told him not to leave Dubang Mountain.

Perhaps his master thought that if his only disciple went out into the Central Plains and used his martial arts, he would be branded as the disciple of a public enemy of the martial world.

He couldn't pass on his own karma to his disciple, who was like his own flesh and blood.

In fact, the Central Plains did not remember the Mountain-Breaking Great Axe, Han Paecheon.

"In the Central Plains, there are many masters who can cut you down with a single strike. When I die, don't leave Dubang Mountain and stay here."

"Then when can your disciple go down the mountain?"

"...That. That is. Cough, cough. No, why am I suddenly coughing..."

His master suddenly coughed violently. For a long time.

"Fi... fi... find the third virtue. When you find the third virtue I talked about before, you can go down."

This was his master's last will.

Everyone who passed through Dubang Mountain was weak. They were probably not from the Central Plains.

Since his master said that all the martial artists of the Central Plains were strong. The only strong martial artist Deoksam had seen was the grand leader of the Eighteen Strongholds of the Greenwood. He kept visiting and bothering him to join the main stronghold.

A while ago, a guy who called himself an elder of the Blood Dragon Sect came with a lot of people. He said something about his sect leader's nickname overlapping with his?

When he took out his axe and swung it once, he ran away with the group that came with him. The words that he was an elder of a sect must have been a lie. Otherwise, he couldn't be so weak.

Deoksam still doesn't know what the third virtue his master talked about is.

* * *

Blood Dragon Sect.

"The Heaven-Cleaving Twin Axes is leaving too?"

The Blood Dragon Sect leader, Ma Yeonggeol, said with an anxious expression as he sat in the seat of honor.

"He said he has urgent business and will be back in three or four months, but seeing that he's packing all his things, it seems he won't be back."

"How much rice and wine have we fed those bastards..."

After announcing the subjugation of the Nine Dragons Stronghold on Dubang Mountain, three of the guests staying at the sect had already suddenly left, saying they had urgent business.

- Thump!

The Blood Dragon Sect leader said nervously, slamming the table.

"All the guys who said they were leaving are the ones who went to Dubang Mountain with Elder No last month, right? What on earth happened then?"

The Blood Dragon Sect elder, No Gu-il, who was sitting at the end of the table, couldn't answer right away and hung his head low.

"I told you to tell me in detail again!"

"That is, that guy was swinging an axe as big as a person, and it was so brutal..."

"Isn't the Heaven-Cleaving Twin Axes a guy who uses an axe too? Twin axes! He said no one could surpass him with an axe... What on earth did that guy do?"

"He said he's not going to use an axe anymore. He said it doesn't seem to suit him..."

Silence fell.

The Heaven-Cleaving Twin Axes was the highest-level master among the guests the Blood Dragon Sect had invited. If he was scared, the rest of the guests would be the same.

"Hmm... what should I do about this? Of course, if I, the sect leader, step up, a mere mountain bandit who swings an axe would be finished with a single strike of the Annihilation Calamity Thunder Sword."

"As expected, it would be best for you, the Sect Leader, to step up yourself..."

"But as you all know, I'm currently undergoing treatment for a major internal injury, right? The doctor strongly urged me to rest."

The major internal injury the Blood Dragon Sect leader was talking about was the anal fissure he had recently been diagnosed with. In other words, hemorrhoids.

"Then how about we wait until you, the Sect Leader, are fully recovered and then subjugate them?"

Some clueless fellow brought up a useless topic.

"Ahem, what are you talking about? He said my internal injury is not something that heals so easily. He said it would take a very, very long time. Moreover, he said that even after a full recovery, there is a very high risk of recurrence if something goes wrong. And we have already announced the subjugation of the Nine Dragons Stronghold in the name of the Blood Dragon Sect, did you think the event of a sect is so light? Should we postpone the date because our Blood Dragon Sect can't subjugate a mere mountain stronghold?"

The Blood Dragon Sect leader's words became urgent and long as if he was excited.

A suffocating silence descended on the meeting room at the sect leader's great anger.

"Is there no guest we can invite again? Are you looking around? Tell them that the reward doesn't matter, however much it is."

Everyone bowed their heads and said nothing.

'You good-for-nothing freeloaders. Why did I even touch the Nine Dragons Stronghold? What's wrong with sharing a nickname? Should I just change mine at this point?'

Looking at the guys who were just bowing their heads in front of him made him even more annoyed.

'Should I ask 'that place' to send just one master? No, no. They're preparing for a big event in the future, I can't ask for such a small thing. That's not right.'

This was the sorrow of an underworld sect that was being led without any proper masters.

At that moment, a low-ranking executive came in from outside the door and reported.

"Sect Leader! There is someone outside who has come to see you. He says he wants to help with the subjugation of the Nine Dragons Stronghold..."

"What? F-first, escort him in respectfully!"

A moment later, a martial artist wearing a black long robe that came down to his ankles and a large bamboo hat that covered his entire face appeared.

An enormous killing intent that froze the space!

From the moment he opened the door and came in, the Blood Dragon Sect leader knew right away.

A master! A master who couldn't be compared to the freeloading guests who had been eating for free!

When he took off his bamboo hat, the face of a young martial artist was revealed. But his eyes were as sharp as a needle, as if they would pierce the heart.

"I have come to see the Blood Dragon Sect leader."

"I-I am Ma Yeonggeol, the Blood Dragon Sect leader. W-what kind of master are you to offer help with our sect's event..."

"Please understand that I cannot reveal my name."

"Then at least your nickname?"

"Ah, ah! That is, in the world, I am called by the nickname 'Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood'."

'Ah! Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood! Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood...?'

I've never heard of it.

But it doesn't matter.

I've never heard such a brutal nickname in my life.

As expected, the Central Plains is wide, and there are as many unknown unorthodox masters as grains of sand.

* * *

I got a room at an inn in a quiet place and settled down. I already felt reassured at the thought of meeting Deoksam.

Even during the Azure Blade Unit days, he was the most reliable guy in battles with multiple opponents. Because he would blow away several people with a single swing of his axe.

The problem is the Blood Dragon Sect. I don't know how he got entangled with such a third-rate underworld sect, but anyway, it's a properly established sect. And Deoksam is a mountain bandit.

If he wipes out a third-rate sect by himself, he will gain enormous notoriety, and then it will be difficult for him to move with me.

Hmm, he's already like a bear, so he'll stand out if I take him around.

Originally, I was going to follow these guys to find out Deoksam's location, but it seems I can't. It seems I have to intervene and clean it up neatly.

According to the inn's waiter, the Blood Dragon Sect is currently inviting masters as guests. Since I'm carrying a sword, he must be telling me to check it out. Seeing that they're urgently looking, it seems they need a master to fight Deoksam?

The Blood Dragon Sect leader himself is not confident, is he? I knew it when he said Annihilation Calamity Thunder Sword. I should relieve his worries.

First, I prepared a black long robe with the feel of a 'cruel and notorious unorthodox master'. I also got a bamboo hat that covers my face.

When I tried on the bamboo hat, it also blocked the sunlight, so it seemed good for my skin. I should think about wearing it on a daily basis. Because I still haven't given up on the nickname Jade-Faced Divine Dragon.

As expected, when I brought up the subjugation of the Nine Dragons Stronghold at the main gate, the meeting with the sect leader was a breeze. The first impression is important for trust. I deliberately entered while exuding killing intent.

"Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood! I have heard of your great name. If you had sent word in advance, I would have gone out to meet you. Haha."

How clever. How did he know the nickname I just made up? I made it up in a hurry, but it's a hundred times better than a trashy nickname like 'Walking Corpse'.

"Thank you so much for helping with the subjugation of the Dubang Mountain bandits. A mere bandit is enough for me alone, but I'm currently suffering from a major illness..."

He must be really grateful. He's holding both my hands and not letting go. It seems there are even tears in his eyes.

He suddenly lowered his voice and asked me secretly.

"Did you by any chance come from 'that place'?"

Why are you suddenly asking a question so embarrassingly? Where is that place?

I'm on my way from the inn right now.

When I remained silent, he took it as an affirmation.

"As expected! I thought 'that place' wouldn't pretend not to know. We're partners who have to do great things together in the future."

"Ah, h-how could I pretend not to know? Of course, I have to help with the Blood Dragon Sect's event."

"Please be sure to convey my thanks."

"'That place' is also keeping an eye on the Blood Dragon Sect. However, please keep it a secret from 'that place' that I am intervening in the Blood Dragon Sect's event. There were also those who opposed it."

"Oh my. I understand. Of course."

Ah, I can't stand being curious. I can't even ask where that place is.

First, after solving Deoksam's problem, I need to find out where on earth that place is.

I suddenly became a guest from 'that place' and received VIP treatment. Thanks to my brutal nickname.

I wondered why the unorthodox guys made nicknames that seemed like blood would drip from them at any moment, but the treatment is different the moment you hear it. As expected, a nickname should have 'corpse' or 'blood' in it. Of course, 'Walking Corpse' is still not it.

There are still a few days left until the bandit subjugation. The Blood Dragon Sect leader seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief at my unexpected appearance. A master suddenly appeared and said he would scratch his itchy spot, so his back must feel cool even before he scratches it.

As I stayed and observed the atmosphere, it was, as expected, just a so-so third-rate underworld sect. At a glance, it seems they receive protection money from local merchants and eat for free, but I don't know what their source of money is. The Blood Dragon Sect leader is not a master. That's why he would need guests.

Usually, even a small underworld sect has a few masters. It's not even as good as the Tyrant Heaven Sect I took revenge on before. Perhaps because of that, it seemed they didn't commit any noticeable evil deeds.

The chivalrous acts of the masters of prestigious righteous sects primarily target the very bad guys. That way, it's rewarding, and their reputation goes up.

These guys are the good ones among the bad guys, so it should be fine to just use them.

Still, I plan to find out one thing.

Where the 'that place' the sect leader mentioned is.

Since there is no information about the Heavenly Demon or the Demonic Cult, I have to look into anything that seems even a little suspicious. A clue might be found in an unexpected place.

By the way, what should I say first when I meet Deoksam?

Deoksam, unlike his appearance, was afraid of blood. But later, he got the nickname Mad Wind Blood Axe.

There were times when even I, the commander, was terrified when I saw him with his eyes rolled back, showing the whites, and smashing three heads at once with a large, blood-stained axe.

I need to awaken his wildness.

First, let's get close to him.

(End of Chapter)