STBS 04

chapter 04

“Hahahahahaha!”

Hoyeong burst into hearty laughter.

He swung a massive cleaver blade—twice the size of what ordinary warriors used—across the battlefield.

The Geumseong Sect fighters blocking his path were torn apart without even the chance to resist under his overwhelming strikes.

“Captain! Doesn’t this feel like the old days? Well, compared to the northern cavalry, these guys are nothing!”

“Even so, don’t let your guard down. Hoyeong. Stay focused.”

In contrast, Namgung Hyuk’s sword looked ordinary.

But what made it extraordinary was not the blade itself—it was the energy wrapped around it.

Fwoosh!

Flames coiled around Hyuk’s sword.

The blazing blade stole the eyes of everyone who saw it, and with every swing, another enemy fell.

“W-what the hell are those guys?!”

A shocked scream erupted from the Geumseong Sect side.

They had been overwhelmingly pushing back the Huainan branch just moments ago, yet the situation had completely reversed because of just two people.

In reality, the Geumseong warriors were now frozen, unable to advance further.

They feared that if they pushed too deep, their formation would be cut in half and they would be trapped with no escape.

“Damn it! Stop those two!”

At the order of Jeon Ilsang, the sect leader of Geumseong Sect, his elite forces moved.

Ten warriors quickly took their positions and rushed toward the two.

“Hoyeong. They’re coming.”

“I know!”

Hoyeong laughed and swung his great blade once more.

Whoooosh!

A surge of energy condensed—and a massive arc of blade force exploded outward.

In that instant, three elites charging from the left were instantly killed.

“W-what?!”

But that was not the end of their shock.

Using the opening Hoyeong created, Namgung Hyuk surged forward and unleashed a killing technique.

It was a movement like a dance of flames.

Beautiful—but merciless.

The flaming sword cut down four enemies in an instant.

Only three remained on the right.

“……”

Even then, they could not seize the opportunity created by their comrades’ sacrifice.

Because Namgung Hyuk twisted his body and thrust his sword forward.

Fwoosh!

“Guhk!”

Flames erupted from the pierced chest.

The struck warrior trembled violently before collapsing lifelessly.

An overwhelming display of power that wiped out enemies in an instant.

The remaining two elite fighters could not move easily under such terrifying killing intent. If they charged, they felt they would be next.

“W-what is this…!”

From Jeon Ilsang’s perspective, it was unbelievable.

Those were elite warriors of the Geumseong Sect—and yet they were being annihilated by just two men.

And considering the drop in morale among his troops, the situation was disastrous.

“M-master! We must retreat! If this continues, they’ll reach us here!”

“The Huainan branch is counterattacking! Their morale is rising!”

“Damn it! We were so close…!”

Jeon Ilsang clenched his eyes shut—but the tide had already turned.

He shouted:

“All forces, retreat! We cannot afford any more losses!”

“Aaaagh!”

Even as he gave the order, Namgung Hyuk and Hoyeong continued their advance.

Jeon Ilsang was the first to flee.

Seeing this, the Geumseong Sect warriors completely lost their fighting spirit and scattered in panic.

“They’re running!”

“Wooooaaahhhh!!”

Cheers erupted from the Huainan branch forces.

With trembling eyes, they looked at the two men who had changed the course of the battle.

Their figures, covered in enemy blood, were too fearsome to even approach—but to the branch warriors, they looked like saviors.

“A-are you from the Namgung family?”

“Yes.”

At Namgung I-hyun’s cautious question, Namgung Hyuk nodded.

I-hyun swallowed hard.

Such a level of expert among the Namgung family… he should have recognized him—but he couldn’t place him.

Sensing this, Hyuk spoke.

“I am Namgung Hyuk, the Third Young Master of the Namgung family. This is my comrade Hoyeong. We recently returned from the battlefield.”

“T-the Third Young Master?! Thank you so much for saving our branch!”

I-hyun bowed deeply.

The fact that Hyuk had once been the subject of rumors or ridicule did not matter.

What mattered was that they had just saved their lives from certain death—with overwhelming power.

“I would like to ask what exactly happened, but…”

Hyuk looked around.

“First, treating the wounded and securing the situation should come first. We don’t know when they might return.”

“Y-yes! We will do that. Thank you for your concern.”

I-hyun bowed again and began issuing orders.

Only after the battlefield was stabilized did Namgung Hyuk finally sit across from him with a cup of tea.

* * *

“So you’re saying they attacked for no reason?”

“Yes. At first, we tried to investigate from multiple angles, thinking there might be some misunderstanding. But it seems they really attacked us without any cause.”

Namgung Hyuk frowned at I-hyun’s explanation.

‘An attack without reason.’

There were many possibilities.

Perhaps the Huainan branch simply failed to identify the cause.

Or they were chosen as a sacrifice for Geumseong Sect’s expansion.

Or even a third party was pulling strings behind the scenes.

In any case, without more information, there was no way to know.

Which meant they would have to extract the truth directly from them.

“Well, Captain. That doesn’t change what we have to do, does it?”

Hoyeong grinned as he cleaned his cleaver.

“Whatever the reason, they attacked your family. That leaves only one thing—revenge.”

“You’re right, Hoyeong. We should prepare.”

“W-what?! Revenge?”

I-hyun exclaimed in shock.

“You mean you’re planning to attack the Geumseong Sect?”

“So were you planning to just take a beating and do nothing?”

“N-no, but with our current forces, that would be reckless. Are more reinforcements coming?”

“There are no reinforcements. Only us. But if we combine forces with your branch, it should be enough.”

“W-well, with your strength, I suppose it might be possible…”

Still, I-hyun hesitated.

“They have allies. The Anhui Twin Demons. Notorious criminals who operate in Anhui Province. If we attack Geumseong Sect, they will intervene.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Hyuk’s voice was firm.

“I came here representing the Namgung family. That means I must protect its honor. If we suffer an attack and do nothing, it will set a precedent that stains the family’s dignity.”

“……”

“If you’re afraid, you may step back. The two of us are enough to handle Geumseong Sect. You will not be blamed for refusing.”

“I—I cannot do that!”

I-hyun suddenly raised his voice.

Though cautious by nature, he was still a martial artist of the Namgung family.

That pride could not be ignored.

Being told they were unnecessary stung his pride.

With determination, he said:

“Our Huainan branch will also participate! We cannot leave everything to just the two of you.”

“Good. Then I look forward to your cooperation.”

Hyuk smiled inwardly.

‘As expected, pride does the job.’

He took a sip of tea.

Now that they had cooperation, all that remained was execution.

* * *

The next dawn.

Under cover of darkness, Namgung Hyuk, Hoyeong, and the Huainan branch forces moved toward the Geumseong Sect.

The branch warriors wore solemn expressions, full of resolve.

In contrast, Hyuk and Hoyeong looked so relaxed they hardly seemed like they were heading into battle.

‘I’ve heard all kinds of rumors about the Third Young Master… but he’s completely different.’

I-hyun swallowed nervously.

From what he had heard, the Third Young Master was timid and indecisive, which was why he had been sent away to the northern battlefield.

But the man before him now was nothing like that rumor.

‘Were the rumors wrong? Or did the battlefield change him?’

Either way, this was a welcome change.

A calm and strong ally was always reassuring.

Soon, they arrived at the main gate of the Geumseong Sect.

Perhaps due to the early hour—or the recent battle—the gates were tightly shut and locked from the inside.

It looked like forcing it open would be difficult.

But without a word, Hyuk simply looked at Hoyeong.

Hoyeong grinned and raised his cleaver.

“Leave it to me!”

BOOOOM!

A flash of light erupted from the blade—and the heavy gate shattered into pieces.

“W-what?!”

The Huainan branch warriors stared in shock, mouths agape.

That level of power was beyond even most experts.

“Entering.”

Without hesitation, Namgung Hyuk slipped inside like a ghost.

Hoyeong followed with confident steps.

Snapping out of his shock, I-hyun shouted:

“Move! It’s time to avenge our comrades!”

“Wooooahhhh!!”

The Huainan branch forces charged in.

“What’s going on—guhk!”

The startled Geumseong Sect warriors rushed out, only to be cut down instantly.

Realizing they were ambushed too late, they scrambled to regroup—but it was already chaos.

Slash!

“Guh!”

“Aaaagh!”

Where Hyuk and Hoyeong passed, nothing remained.

They cut through the interior of the sect, heading straight for its leader, Jeon Ilsang.

But before they could reach the deepest area—

“Heh. Interesting ones have come.”

Two ominous-looking warriors blocked Namgung Hyuk’s path.

Even without introductions, Hyuk could tell who they were.

“The Anhui Twin Demons?”

“That’s right. Now that we’ve appeared, you won’t go any further—”

“Seeing you in person, your reputation is wasted.”

“……!”

At Hyuk’s mockery, the eyes of the Anhui Twin Demons burned with rage.