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C68. Is This Correct?
Despite Lee Somin's doubts, her grandfather's face, the Great Swordmaster Lee Euijung, showed no change. Feeling frustrated, Lee Somin struck her chest with one hand.
"Ah! Do you really believe his words?"
"We will find out the next time we see him."
"Hmph! I don't think he will dare to show up before you again, Grandpa."
"Then you will see for yourself in the future. I doubt he will avoid you."
The unexpected words made Lee Somin blink.
Her grandfather's calm face didn't seem to be joking.
"Are you saying that I should observe that bandit?"
"Why? Do you dislike the idea?"
"Well..."
Lee Somin left her answer hanging in the air.
'If my grandfather is curious, I suppose I can do that,' she thought. But it was definitely not out of any personal interest in that bandit.
The Great Swordmaster Lee Euijung and Lee Somin peacefully left Five Peaks Mountain.
Due to his sympathy towards Yeon Jeokha, Lee Euijung did not disturb the bandits' base in Five Peaks Mountain.
As a result, the concern of the base in Five Peaks Mountain about possible retaliation from the Great Swordmaster faded away. Although the world was in turmoil due to the Yoomyung Cult, Five Peaks Mountain enjoyed an unprecedented peace.
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The next morning.
An informant, who had been placed in Haga Village, ran up to the base.
Pung Yeoncho, who had been nervous since the visit of the Great Swordmaster, met him.
However, this time he brought good news.
A caravan from Baekse Chamber of Commerce was resting in Haga and planned to pass through Five Peaks Mountain at noon. The Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks decided to head out to the mountains.
The bandits celebrated the announcement of the raid by the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks, sharpening their weapons and commenting that although tolls were fine, a real raid was much more exciting.
In the afternoon.
A caravan from Baekse entered Five Peaks Mountain.
Wang Ikang, a leader of the caravan, spoke with Yeon Mudo, the leader of the Blue Dragon Division.
"Leader Yeon, I heard there will soon be a celebration at Waryong Manor."
"Are you talking about the young master's wedding?"
"Yes, it is said that his bride is from the prestigious Yang Family in Jeongju."
"That's what I've heard."
"Oh! If Waryong Manor and the Yang Family unite, it won't be long before they become the most powerful in Hunan."
Yeon Mudo only smiled slightly.
It didn't seem appropriate to boast about his nephew's marriage.
Although he disliked Baek Miju, he could not deny his achievements.
Ignoring Wang Ikang's comments, Yeon Mudok cautiously observed his surroundings.
'They should appear soon.'
While he was lost in these thoughts, a spear landed in the middle of the road.
A green flag was tied to the spear's tip.
It was from the base of Five Peaks Mountain.
'Today they are doing something different.'
Yeon Mudo raised his hand, and the caravan came to a halt.
As if planned, the bandits slowly emerged from the forest.
So far, everything seemed normal.
Yeon Mudo stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, as usual.
"I am Yeon Mudo of Baekse, passing through Five Peaks Mountain. Heroes of the Five Peaks, please..."
Before he could finish, an arrow whizzed past his ear.
Swoosh! Thud!
The arrow embedded itself in a tree behind him, quivering.
Yeon Mudo looked at the bandits in astonishment.
A burly man in his forties, wielding a saber, spoke while twirling the weapon.
"Damn it! Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what Five Peaks Mountain said? Why are you doing exactly what they told you not to do?"
Yeon Mudok, surprised, looked at the burly man.
"Who are you?"
"Me? I am the vice-boss of Five Peaks Mountain. And who are you? Is 'Yeon Mudo' your real name? What a stupid name!"
Although furious, Yeon Mudok held back.
If he was the vice-boss, that meant he was one of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks.
'Have the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks finally appeared?'
Now that he thought about it, there were more bandits than usual.
Backed by the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks, the bandits, who previously seemed like rebellious peasants, now had eyes full of determination.
"I am Yeon Mudo, leader of the Blue Dragon Division. I have heard much about the reputation of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks..."
"Damn it! You've heard of us and yet you dare to pass through Five Peaks Mountain? Are you crazy for death?"
The insults from the vice-boss Tak Gomyung left Yeon Mudo stunned. Although he wanted to engage in polite dialogue, the other gave him no opportunity.
Finally, Yeon Mudo lost his patience and raised his voice.
"Listen! Even if you are one of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks, don't you think your words are too offensive? We, from the Blue Dragon Division, are warriors from Waryong Manor, known throughout Murim..."
"Bastard! If you mention the name Waryong Manor once more, I will kill you! Everyone, kneel! Then I will spare your lives."
Upon hearing this, the bandits drew their weapons and shouted.
Wang Ikang, pale with fear, looked at Yeon Mudo.
"Leader Yeon, something is very wrong. What do we do now?"
Yeon Mudo looked at the bandits in bewilderment.
When the Nokrim bandits acted this way, they usually sought a raid. So far, they had passed without problems, but he didn't understand why things had suddenly changed.
"Hmph! The warriors of Waryong Manor do not kneel before Nokrim bandits. I have always been curious about the skill of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks. This is a good opportunity to find out. Leader Wang, step back a bit."
It was clear that he wanted to fight.
Terrified, Wang Ikang slowly backed away.
Yeon Mudo shouted to the warriors of the Blue Dragon Division.
"Brothers! We are the Blue Dragon Division! The proud warriors of Waryong Manor! Raise your swords of justice! Heaven will help us!"
"Hurrah!"
The warriors of the Blue Dragon Division shouted loudly, the veins in their necks bulging.
Both sides were about to clash.
The Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks advanced.
Yeon Jeokha, looking at the Ten Heroes standing by his side, spoke.
"I don't see anyone particularly dangerous. I'll take care of that loudmouth, and you all take this as a warm-up duel."
"Sounds good to me!"
"How long has it been since our last fight!"
The Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks, excited, unsheathed their swords.
Amid the commotion, Ha Sobaek expressed her concerns.
"Yeon oppa, I'm very nervous. Will you finish quickly and come help me?"
"Don't worry. I'll finish in the blink of an eye. Breathe deeply."
Exaggerating her movements, Ha Sobaek inhaled deeply.
At that moment, Yeon Jeokha advanced quickly. Although he had left his saber behind, he didn't hesitate at all.
"You bastard!"
Offended by the conversation, Yeon Mudo attacked with his sword like lightning.
Swoosh!
The sword, charged with energy, rose from below, aiming at Yeon Jeokha. Yeon Jeokha skillfully deflected the attack with a movement of his torso and lunged at Yeon Mudo, gently pushing his chest with his left hand.
"Cough!"
Yeon Mudo took a step back, coughing, at which point Yeon Jeokha snatched his sword with his right hand.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye. To an observer, it seemed that Yeon Mudo had voluntarily handed over his sword and then stepped back.
At that moment, Ha Sobaek exhaled long and hard.
"Phew!"
Yeon Jeokha playfully swung the sword he had snatched.
"I told you, didn't I? I'll finish in the blink of an eye."
Yeon Mudo, with his chest hurting and breathing heavily, let out a groan before collapsing. The combination of internal injury and extreme anger had been too much for his body, causing him to faint.
"Kneel, bastards!"
"You're dead!"
"Waaah!"
With a powerful war cry, the bandits of Five Peaks Mountain charged at the Blue Dragon Division.
Demoralized, the warriors of the Blue Dragon Division did not hold out for even half an hour before they began to surrender one by one.
Luoyang.
Gong Hyun-yo.
The noon of the full moon in June.
The warriors of Samjin Chamber of Commerce were lined up at the entrance of Gong Hyun-yo.
In front of them was Yeon Mubaek, the Waryong Swordsman from Waryong Manor, leading the warriors of the White Tiger and Rising Star Divisions.
The head of Baekse, Lee Sechang, approached Yeon Mubaek.
"Young Master Yeon, we must resolve this today. Prolonging it any longer is not good."
"I know. I don't want to hear any more about this either."
Since the Justice Alliance had sent messages throughout Murim, heroes had gathered in Luoyang. Amid this, the confrontation between two families was attracting unwanted attention.
If they didn't resolve this quickly, the Justice Alliance might intervene. If that happened, all their efforts so far would be in vain. That’s why Yeon Mubaek hurried to Gong Hyun-yo as soon as his treatment was completed.
To the left and right of Yeon Mubaek were the leader of the White Tiger Division, Baek Dojin, and Yeon Seungbaek, leading the Rising Star Division.
Yeon Seungbaek, with his gaze fixed ahead, asked, "Should we attack now?"
"Yes, let’s go."
With those words, Yeon Mubaek moved quickly.
Behind him, the warriors of the White Tiger and Rising Star Divisions followed in line.
Soon, the warriors of Samjin and those of Waryong Manor clashed in a chaotic battle.
Although Samjin had slightly more numbers, the ferocity of the warriors of Waryong Manor was greater.
In particular, Yeon Mubaek's sword, honed through real combat in Yeoju, was sharper than ever, and no one could stop him.
Finally, two warriors lunged at him.
With swords flying from both sides, Yeon Mubaek unleashed the technique of the Wheel of Devastating Wind.
Clang!
At the moment when the two swords were deflected, he unleashed the Thunder and Lightning No Way technique.
Both warriors tried to retreat quickly but could not escape the net of the sword’s energy. Both were injured, one in the waist and the other in the shoulder, and fell backward.
Then, Yeon Mubaek moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind.
After about fifteen minutes, the defeat of Samjin was evident. Once they began to retreat, the withdrawal turned into a rout.
The hired mercenaries fled, followed by the warriors of the Mumun Sect, who began to surrender one by one.
Yeon Mubaek, leading the warriors of Waryong Manor, advanced triumphantly towards Gong Hyun-yo.
However, his expression was not joyful.
Taking Gong Hyun-yo by force meant they could lose it in the same way to a greater power.
The feeling of being trapped in an endless struggle for control weighed heavily on his heart.
Yeon Seungbaek approached the pensive Yeon Mubaek.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I wonder if we are doing the right thing."
"The head of Baekse will take care of this."
"But Waryong Manor is the one that has taken this by force, not Baekse."
"At least now we can protect our disciples. Isn’t that what matters?"
"And if we have to keep fighting to protect our disciples?"
"That's what all the Families of Murim do, right?"
"I suppose you're right."
Yeon Mubaek's face darkened.
"By the way, will the Namgung Family come this time?"
"Yes."
"Then, how many years has it been since we saw those strange siblings?"
"Hehe."
Yeon Mubaek couldn't help but laugh at the memory of Namgung Cheon, the Blue Cloud Sword, and Namgung Yeon, the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower.
"I always thought you and that lady were going to end up together. Even Mom hoped so, remember?"
Yeon Mubaek frowned, annoyed by the memory.
Before leaving for the Namgung Family, Baek Miju had insistently asked him to try to win over Namgung Yeon. As a young man, he had agreed, but in the last ten years, he had not exchanged a single word with her.
"Seungbaek, women scare me."
"Tsk! What are you saying, just before getting married?"
Yeon Seungbaek, with an envious expression, patted his brother on the shoulder and walked away.