Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 70 : The Seventy-Two Strongholds of the Green Forest

The Seventy-Two Strongholds of the Green Forest

A hush fell over the surroundings.

A heavy silence descended over the crowded throng.

It was only natural, given how shocking the earlier scene had been.

All the more because everyone had anticipated a thrilling duel between two martial artists.

Those who had watched with eyes full of anticipation now had faces frozen like slabs of ice.

It was understandable. Bang Hwigyeom was a promising martial artist from the area's leading sect.

Though people called him a "rising star," at his level, most local martial artists didn't even dare to announce their names in his presence.

And yet, such a person had been utterly defeated in the duel.

After only a single clash of swords, he'd been sent flying to roll across the dirt.

"Y-Young master Bang..."

"I can't believe what I just saw."

"That's the extent of the Heavenly Martial Hall warrior's martial prowess...?"

Bang Hwigyeom still hadn't managed to get up.

He was sprawled facedown, only raising his head to stare blankly at Jeong-un.

He wasn't badly injured.

His face just showed complete stupefaction.

"......"

Jeong-un watched him for a moment before turning his head slightly away.

'He was even slower than I thought.'

Jeong-un recalled the moment Bang Hwigyeom had darted in with his lightness skill.

It was quite agile, but to be honest, it was slow when viewed objectively.

The time waiting while gripping his sword guard had felt like a lengthy pause.

When Bang Hwigyeom swung his sword in, Jeong-un poured true ki into his own sword, then forcefully parried.

His objective from the start was to make his opponent let go of his sword.

There were countless ways to win a duel, but he had decided this was the best method to induce a sense of powerlessness.

He believed that if he could force the other swordsman to lose his blade, the opponent would surely accept defeat and withdraw.

But in the moment when blade met blade, Bang Hwigyeom's sword could not endure and shattered from the edge with a loud crack.

Even Jeong-un was somewhat startled at that moment.

That a sword would break so easily?

His opponent's true ki in the sword had been far more meager than expected.

'His level is just too...'

Jeong-un muttered inwardly.

The Four Dragons, was it?

Honestly, he wondered on what basis the man could introduce himself with such a title.

'Isn't he embarrassed?'

There was someone with a similar nickname near Jeong-un as well.

Baek Sang, known as the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua—a swordsman whose demeanor resembled wild grass swaying in the wind.

But Jeong-un had never felt his nickname was undeserved. In fact, he believed it was fitting.

He was probably able to be so free-spirited within the sect because his martial prowess backed it up.

If one intends to call themselves a dragon or phoenix, one should at least be at that level.

"Are... are you alright?"

Meanwhile, the remaining three "Earth Dragons" approached Bang Hwigyeom, who was still down.

They stared in shock at Bang Hwigyeom's blade, which had been completely shattered and littered the ground.

Not one of them could bring themselves to make eye contact with Jeong-un, who stood nearby.

"To break a sword with true ki-powered swordsmanship... That's some terrifying force."

"I wanted to quickly end things with a show of overwhelming dominance."

Jeong-un replied to Baek Il-gang's comment in a slightly sheepish tone.

Inwardly, he wondered if he had overdone it.

It was the result of trying to leave not even a sliver of hope.

With that, he quietly sheathed his sword.

Since he'd only needed a single slash, he hadn't held the sword guard for long.

But even so, he could sense a definite difference this time.

'So this is what a fine sword is like.'

When he struck, the true ki that traveled from his fingertips flowed smoothly along the blade.

Now that he had used it in actual combat, he clearly felt the difference.

Perhaps this was why even masters who surpassed the limits of weapons still carried swords that suited their hands.

He suddenly recalled something Jo Yoo-hyeon had said about entrusting his sword's repairs to the oldest craftsman in the Heavenly Martial Hall.

'Maybe I should buy a small gift on the way back.'

He found himself at a moment's leisure to even have such thoughts.

At that moment, instead of Bang Hwigyeom, Gu Yong-hyeon approached.

It seemed he was coming to greet Jeong-un on Bang's behalf, since Bang had yet to regain his composure.

"I—I've just witnessed an incredible display of exquisite martial arts. Young Master Bang is a little... out of his senses right now."

"There shouldn't be any serious injuries."

"Yes, he wasn't actually struck anywhere..."

Gu Yong-hyeon's face flushed slightly.

He himself had been blown backward by the vital ki when their swords collided.

Anyone who cultivated internal energy would be able to sense the difference.

Since the most skilled among them had ended up like that, it was only natural for the rest to feel embarrassed.

Then, Gu Yong-hyeon asked Jeong-un cautiously,

"If I may, which corps of the Heavenly Martial Hall are you from? Should you ever join our sect, I'd like to properly offer my respects."

"I am Yu Jeong-un of the Blue Scale Corps."

"I see. Thank you v—"

As he began to bow, Gu Yong-hyeon suddenly gasped and stopped mid-sentence.

He looked at Jeong-un with eyes wide in shock.

Jeong-un asked with a puzzled expression,

"Is something wrong?"

"Y-you're Yu Jeong-un of the Blue Scale Corps...! Then—aren't you the young hero known as Annihilating One-Slash?"

"Pardon?"

Jeong-un's eyes widened.

That name? Here, in this foreign land?

"Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, laughter broke out beside him.

Turning his head, Jeong-un saw Baek Il-gang laughing heartily.

Next to him, Jo Gwang nodded in approval, a satisfied look on his face.

"Word of you has reached even this far. It's no wonder."

"I must say, I feel quite proud."

As Jeong-un, slightly disgruntled, opened his mouth to retort, voices rose from the surrounding crowd.

The onlookers, who had been stunned into silence, gradually returned to their senses and began talking all at once.

"The world's a vast place. Young Master Bang was nothing after all."

"Did you hear? That young swordsman's nickname is Annihilating One-Slash."

"A fearsome nickname indeed."

"Doesn't it suit him perfectly? Just now, there was a flash of lightning, and Young Master Bang was rolling across the ground."

Intense gazes converged upon Jeong-un.

Unable to bear the mounting attention, he had no choice but to retreat inside the guesthouse.

Apparently finding this amusing, Baek Il-gang and Jo Gwang kept sniggering, prompting Tang Yerin to intervene.

"That's enough, you two. If you look at Young Hero Jeong-un's actions so far, it's only natural that his name has become well-known. There will only be more people recognizing him from now on."

At that, Jo Gwang and Baek Il-gang both added wryly,

"I just thought, perhaps Young Hero Yu is fond of his own nickname."

"Indeed. Come to think of it, he even went out of his way to duel."

"Good grief..."

Tang Yerin shot them a reproachful look.

Jeong-un glanced at them and muttered slyly,

"You two certainly seem to get along. Since it looks good to see, I'll be sure to report this to the corps leader so that you're always paired together on future missions."

"N-no, wait a moment, young hero Yu!"

When Jeong-un, ignoring them, slung his travel bag and headed out, Baek Il-gang and Jo Gwang hurriedly followed him, their faces changing color.

Tang Yerin watched and broke into a small smile.

For a moment, they all seemed like boys their own age.

* * *

The party changed to fresh, high-spirited horses at the Murim Alliance's staging post.

Baek Il-gang, notoriously bad at riding, began to complain of a sore backside.

But when Jeong-un insisted they rest only upon arriving at their destination, Baek Il-gang mounted without further protest.

As they rode away from Gong'an County, Baek Il-gang remarked,

"I wonder if those Four Dragon fellows will be okay."

"What do you mean?"

"After being so thoroughly trounced by you, young hero Yu, can they even show their faces?"

Baek Il-gang grinned, but for Jeong-un, the day's duel had already faded into insignificance.

It simply hadn't left much of an impression.

Besides—a dragon? Jeong-un shook his head slightly and said,

"I don't know why nicknames are so important. In the end, they're just words. It's not like they carry any substance, unlike martial phrases."

Jo Gwang replied, his expression scandalized,

"'Just words'? But nicknames are like the very identity of a martial artist! When renown spreads, even the highest clerks come to know your nickname better than your actual name!"

That wasn't untrue.

Jeong-un had certainly experienced, for the first time today, the reality of a martial artist's reputation.

Even in this land far from the Heavenly Martial Hall, a stranger had known his name.

'Honestly, it's a bit ridiculous.'

The young boy who, though still inexperienced in the martial world, had seen a bit of it, thought thus.

How could one judge a person by rumors alone, without ever having met them?

Isn't that utterly pointless?

'It's kind of childish, really.'

Jeong-un recalled Bang Hwigyeom rolling in the dirt from a single sword strike and spoke up,

"That's the problem."

"Hm?"

"The martial world is so vast that it's full of martial artists who act like heroes in small ponds. Without understanding their own abilities, they call themselves dragons, or phoenixes... To be honest, it's kind of foolish."

"......"

A strange silence followed.

When Jeong-un glanced around, he saw Baek Il-gang twitching his lips awkwardly and Jo Gwang pressing his lips tightly together.

At that moment, Jo Gwang sidled up and murmured,

"Lady Tang's nickname is the Venomous Phoenix."

"......"

Jeong-un quietly urged his horse forward.

* * *

They rode for two more days.

At Jeong-un's suggestion, they purposely avoided any large villages, picking smaller ones for their short breaks.

This was to avoid attracting attention and to reach their destination as quickly as possible.

Since they were out on an official assignment, they couldn't afford to waste time.

Thus, they arrived at Wonreung County, Jinju Prefecture.

The leader of the Jeongmu Sect was a middle-aged man.

His square jaw and weathered face testified to an unrelenting training regimen.

Judging by the similar looks of his disciples, it seemed to be the sect's overall style.

"Welcome, all of you."

With a stern face, he greeted them, the hardship of his current circumstances showing clearly in his expression.

He glanced over the group, seemingly trying to discern who was in charge.

"I am Yu Jeong-un of the Blue Scale Corps."

"......?"

When Jeong-un cupped his fists in greeting, the man quickly sized up the situation and returned the bow.

"I am Jeok Il-do of the Jeongmu Sect, acting as this sect's leader despite my shortcomings."

"As it seems there is little time to spare, could we please hear the situation first?"

"Thank you. Please, come this way."

On the way to the sect leader's office, Jeong-un took in the Jeongmu Sect's estate.

It wasn't spread over a vast area, but it was certainly not small.

It seemed sufficient to project influence over a region like Wonreung County.

'Their expressions are promising.'

He'd also seen quite a few disciples training in the practice yard.

Despite the turmoil, they continued honing their martial arts, which spoke of their integrity.

'This doesn't seem like a disorderly place.'

With that impression, Jeong-un sat down with Jeok Il-do in the office.

"I imagine you already have a general idea of the situation, but let me explain it once more."

They briefly exchanged information.

He explained that bandits had set up in Hogye Mountain near Wonreung County and were preying on all merchant convoys passing by.

Regardless of size, they robbed every caravan they found, and were ruthless enough to even kill travelers.

"Weren't there always some bandits in the area?"

Jeong-un asked, and Jeok Il-do shook his head.

"They suddenly set up their base in Hogye Mountain not long ago. After the merchant guilds began suffering, we requested martial escorts from the head sect—but they were all defeated."

"So, the bandits are trained martial artists."

"And not only that—they loudly proclaimed themselves to be part of the Green Forest."