Chapter 20: The Autumn Soul Assassination Sect
At that moment, Jang Woo-hyun also had something to discuss with the Vice Sect Leader, so he went to meet him.
Vice Sect Leader Bang Jong-oh stood up with a smile when he saw Jang Woo-hyun approach.
“Welcome. I hope I didn’t summon you while you were busy?”
“It’s fine. I had something to discuss anyway.”
“Something to discuss? What is it? Speak freely. I’m all ears.”
“Before that, what is this next mission about?”
“Ah, that. Let’s sit down first, and I’ll explain.”
Once they sat, Bang Jong-oh began his explanation.
“I received word from the Sect Leader. He’s almost cornered the Elder Ape Monster.”
The Sect Leader of the Demon Extermination Sect had been chasing the Elder Ape Monster that had entered Sichuan, and it seemed that was nearly resolved.
“Once he’s caught, the only one left of the Five Monsters will be their leader, the First Monster. After that, we’ll launch an all-out assault on the Thousand Demon Sect.”
With most of the Five Monsters, the greatest enemies that the sect members feared, dead, it was only natural.
Now, the Demon Extermination Sect was planning a large-scale sweep.
“This time, we’ll root them out completely. So, what do you think? I’d like for you to join us.”
“I was actually going to talk to you about that.”
“About this mission?”
“Yes, I plan to leave the Demon Extermination Sect for a while.”
“Why suddenly say that?”
Surprised, Bang Jong-oh lifted his gaze as Jang Woo-hyun began to explain the events that had occurred at the inn on his way back.
Jang Woo-hyun had no intention of leaving the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect alone.
Since they had come after him, he didn’t plan to avoid the fight.
“Haha, so that’s what happened. Well, you can’t just live with someone targeting your back, can you? Very well, go ahead.”
Though it was disappointing that Jang Woo-hyun wouldn’t be participating, Bang Jong-oh understood.
Even though Jang Woo-hyun had only taken part in two missions, what he had contributed to the Demon Extermination Sect was immense.
With someone targeting his life, it was unreasonable to ask him to ignore that and participate in a mission.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, it’s fine. This is something I need to handle.”
“Well, given your current strength, handling people like them shouldn’t be difficult. But still, be careful. So, will you come back after dealing with them?”
“If nothing special happens, I think so. But will there be a place for me to return to?”
“What are you talking about? Of course, there will always be a place for you. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d hand over my position and retire.”
Jang Woo-hyun chuckled at Bang Jong-oh’s exaggerated remark.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just wondering if, after the large-scale sweep, there will be anything left to do.”
“If that’s your concern, don’t worry. That’s when things will truly begin.”
Bang Jong-oh grinned confidently as he spoke.
His smile carried a sense of assurance.
“Once we deal with the Thousand Demon Sect, the Demon Extermination Sect will evolve from just a group employing wandering warriors to a proper martial sect.”
That was the ultimate goal of the Demon Extermination Sect, and it was also the imperial court’s intention.
The imperial family wanted to establish a powerful sect in the martial world that would be loyal to them.
And someone like Jang Woo-hyun was essential to that vision.
“Don’t worry and take care of things. I’ll make sure there’s a place for you when you return.”
“Understood.”
Hearing about the ultimate goal of the Demon Extermination Sect, Jang Woo-hyun left after saying his goodbyes to Bang Jong-oh.
* * *
– Silent Night, it’s a fitting name.
Silent Night.
It was the name of the large sword made entirely of black steel.
It was completely different from the sword he had used until now.
At first, when he held it, he wondered if he would even be able to use it properly.
After swinging it around for two days, he started to get the feel of it.
There was only one reason he had chosen to forge such a ridiculously heavy sword.
‘Don’t limit myself to just one thing.’
If the situation allowed, he wanted to learn various martial arts and handle different weapons.
The same went for swords.
Silent Night would be the sword he’d use when practicing sword techniques that called for a heavy or large sword.
Though it was inconvenient to have to switch swords, it wasn’t an issue if he wielded them both using two different martial arts.
Wielding two different sword techniques with both hands?
It was an absurd idea, but Jang Woo-hyun believed it was possible.
This was a world where people turned into monsters or became giants of fire.
In such a world, wielding two martial arts at once wasn’t anything to scoff at.
It was entirely possible.
Whoosh.
Every time he swung the sword, the air trembled.
It felt less like he was slicing through the air and more like he was shattering the void itself.
Jang Woo-hyun stepped forward using his footwork technique and swung his sword, then abruptly stopped.
He closed his eyes and expanded his senses.
He thinned his internal energy into a fine thread and spread it out around him.
After hearing Ma Choong-won’s advice, he had come to a small realization and developed his own method.
Rather than just looking with his eyes, he expanded his qi sense to observe his surroundings.
The qi threads spread from Jang Woo-hyun, forming a wide circle around him.
After maintaining his personal domain for a while, Jang Woo-hyun gathered all the qi back and sheathed his sword.
‘Now it’s done.’
He had fully absorbed the martial arts into his body.
Jang Woo-hyun was now stronger than when he had gone after the Five Monsters.
However, one question remained.
Exactly how strong was he now?
One thing was certain—he hadn’t reached the transcendent master level yet.
The line between second-rate and first-rate martial artists was the ability to manifest sword qi.
The line between first-rate and master-level martial artists was the ability to send qi over long distances, also known as qi projection.
The line between master-level and transcendent masters was the ability to use sword aura, or qi projection in a solid form, also known as qi projection.
Since Jang Woo-hyun hadn’t yet used sword aura, he knew he wasn’t a transcendent master.
Still, it was unclear if he could be considered a master-level warrior either.
Both the Insect Monster, who had transformed into a monster, and the Fire Monster, who had become a giant of fire, had skills equivalent to master-level warriors.
Jang Woo-hyun had overwhelmed them both.
Not just one, but two of them at the same time.
Because he used the Dispersing Mist Skill to suppress his power, neither the elders of the Demon Extermination Sect nor Bang Jong-oh had been able to correctly assess his strength, thinking he was just at the early stages of mastery.
But that wasn’t the case.
‘Do I need to face one in battle to find out?’
It was hard to gauge his strength without crossing swords with a transcendent master.
He wouldn’t be easily defeated, but he had no idea how much of a factor qi projection would be.
For that reason, it was time for him to leave the Demon Extermination Sect.
Bang Jong-oh had said that the sect would transform into a proper martial sect once they cleared out the remnants of the Thousand Demon Sect, but that was too limiting for Jang Woo-hyun.
He wanted to witness the martial arts of transcendent masters, to experience their power.
A transcendent master could claim dominance over an entire region.
Even in large sects, only a handful, including the sect leaders, reached that level.
To meet such individuals, he would have to leave the Demon Extermination Sect.
‘Well then, let’s go.’
There was something else he needed to do anyway.
The Autumn Soul Assassination Sect.
It was time to crush them.
Having made his decision, Jang Woo-hyun left the Demon Extermination Sect the very next day.
* * *
Jang Woo-hyun wasn’t traveling alone.
“Jang Hyung, we’ve been through a lot together, so how can you leave without me?”
Despite Lim Jung-young’s warning, Hwang An had chosen to follow Jang Woo-hyun.
Though the problem with the Asura Sword Sect was concerning, Hwang An thought there was no need to panic just yet since they didn’t know for sure if it would become an issue.
“Why are you following me?”
“What do you mean, why? Haha, Jang Hyung, aren’t we headed to Guizhou?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re planning to find the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know where they are?”
“……”
“See? I knew it. You don’t know anything about where they are. You’ve even said yourself that you’re practically new to the martial world. I don’t know what you think of me, but I consider you a new friend.
Who would just let a friend who knows nothing about the martial world go off on his own? I’ll help you.
Let’s head to Guizhou first. I’ve already done some research.”
Anticipating that Lim Jung-young would reduce his authority, Hwang An had already gathered information about the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect.
Their location, the approximate number of members, their martial arts, and their typical assassination methods.
“Besides, isn’t it better for the two of us to go together? You’re going to face assassins, so it’s safer to have a companion. Come on, let’s go.”
Before Jang Woo-hyun could say anything, Hwang An took the lead and began walking ahead.
Watching him, Jang Woo-hyun couldn’t help but smile, thinking that this kind of companionship wasn’t so bad.
“Alright, let’s go. The two of us will head to Guizhou together.”
The two left the Demon Extermination Sect, taking their time as they enjoyed the scenery, stopped at inns, and ate delicious food on their leisurely journey to Guizhou.
It was the first time Jang Woo-hyun had done something like this.
Until now, he had been in a constant rush to learn martial arts and had never traveled so leisurely.
Jang Woo-hyun would spar with Hwang An, helping him with his shortcomings, while Hwang An taught Jang Woo-hyun the basic knowledge of the martial world.
“What? You don’t even know about the Ten Demonic Paths? Seriously? That’s a mess, Jang Hyung. Did you live in a mountain cave or something? The Ten Demonic Paths are the ten most powerful factions in the unorthodox world.
Think of them as the unorthodox equivalent of the Nine Sects.
You know the Nine Sects, right? Wait, what’s that look? Don’t tell me you don’t know them? No way. That’s impossible.
You’ve got to be kidding me. You at least know that much, right? This isn’t good, Jang Hyung! This isn’t good at all!”
“…Next is the Asura Sword Sect.
As the name suggests, it’s a sect that focuses on swordsmanship.
It’s ranked about the middle of the Ten Demonic Paths.
Below the sect leader are the junior sect leaders and the Three Sword Kings.
In other sects, the Three Sword Kings would be considered elder-level figures.
Below them are the Sword Yakshas, who form the core force of the Asura Sword Sect.
As for the warriors below the Sword Yakshas, you don’t need to worry about them.
Just remember the Sword Yakshas for now.
They’re skilled swordsmen, on par with the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Mount Hua.
You mustn’t underestimate them.
If you ever get entangled with them, just remember this.
You can handle the Sword Yakshas, but avoid fighting the Three Sword Kings at all costs. Got it?”
“Why are you being so insistent about the Asura Sword Sect?”
“It’s not just insistence. I really want you to remember this.
Why do you think I’m focusing on this? I’ve explained everything to you in detail.
Anyway, Jang Hyung, just remember this—dealing with the Sword Yakshas is fine, but don’t mess with the Three Sword Kings.”
While subtly emphasizing the Asura Sword Sect, Hwang An continued his explanation.
For Jang Woo-hyun, this was the first time he had received formal education about the martial world, and he found it to be an incredibly valuable experience.
Just listening to Hwang An’s stories was fun.
After their informative journey, the two finally arrived at their destination.
Bright Sage Manor.
The manor was situated at the foot of the mountain.
Its owner was known to be a generous and kind person in the nearby village.
“A manor named after the underworld and the present world. It’s a fitting name for the base of an assassination sect.”
Hwang An commented as he read the plaque from a distance.
“That’s the place. That’s the base of the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect.
I don’t know exactly how many people are inside.
Some may be out on assassination missions, and since the sect is very secretive, it’s difficult to get an accurate headcount.
But judging by the supplies going in, there should be no more than sixty people inside.
It could be less since we’ve already taken down a few of them.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Hmph, did you forget which sect I belong to? Don’t worry. I’m sure.”
“Alright, that’s good enough for me.”
Schwing.
At Jang Woo-hyun’s words, he immediately drew his sword.
Seeing Jang Woo-hyun about to charge in without a second thought, Hwang An panicked and tried to stop him.
“Wait, wait! Jang Hyung! Are you seriously going in right now? Just like that? Hold on a minute. You can’t just rush in without a plan!”
Jang Woo-hyun tilted his head slightly.
“No, no, this isn’t right, Jang Hyung. Think about it. Who just charges in like this? Shouldn’t we wait until nightfall or at least make some preparations? We could gather some allies or set a trap!”
“Oh, preparations.”
Jang Woo-hyun reached into his coat and pulled something out, then put it in his mouth.
“What’s that?”
“It’s the poison-preventing elixir. The vice sect leader gave it to me as a gift. If you don’t have one, don’t come in. It’s an assassination sect, so there’s bound to be some poison.”
“Th-that’s it?”
“Yep.”
As Jang Woo-hyun slowly started walking toward the manor, Hwang An hurried to catch up.
“Wait, wait, just hold on a second. What if they’ve set traps for you? What if they’re luring you into a trap on purpose, or what if someone else has set this up to frame you for attacking the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect? Let’s at least think it over once more…”
Jang Woo-hyun stopped and stared at Hwang An silently, causing him to fall silent as well.
Even Hwang An knew that what he had just said made no sense.
Why complicate things unnecessarily?
Besides, the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect had no clear grasp of Jang Woo-hyun’s abilities.
“…Yeah, now that I think about it, that was a bit much. But still, charging in like this… At least wait a little longer. Even if you’re strong, this isn’t the way…”
Before Hwang An could finish his sentence, Jang Woo-hyun swung his sword and unleashed a sword slash.
Boom!
The sword slash struck the plaque and shattered the gate along with it.