Chapter 43 – Guardians of Hanzhong (1)

Chapter 43 – Guardians of Hanzhong (1)

Yangjang Forest. Silence hung heavy over the dense bamboo grove.

The bamboo trees, nourished by rich yang energy, towered nearly ten zhang into the sky. Until just a few days ago, many travelers had visited to admire the majestic scenery. Now, however, the place was completely deserted, driven by eerie rumors that evil spirits haunted the forest.

A single soldier was calmly entering this haunted forest. Although this area fell under the jurisdiction of Chang'an Fortress, which was now controlled by the Hui Dynasty, the soldier surprisingly wore the armor of the Song Dynasty. He wore pitch-black armor and a helmet adorned with red tassels—the uniform of the Wolf Fang Squad, the heroes of Hanzhong.

From the moment he stepped into Yangjang Forest, So-mu felt an unpleasant sensation. His sharp nose caught the faint, unmistakable scent of rotting flesh wafting through the air.

He focused his gaze about twenty zhang ahead. There lay the body of a recently slain Hui soldier.

'There is definitely someone here.'

So-mu approached the corpse to examine the wounds. A single, clean sword slice marked the nape of the neck. The soldier had been killed instantly without even a chance to defend himself. It was clearly the work of an assassin.

More bodies were not hard to find. The deeper he went, the more corpses he encountered. He counted about fifty with his own eyes, suggesting there were at least a thousand bodies scattered throughout the forest.

So-mu quietly released his energy, letting it drift outward, and drew his sword. Just because he was wearing a Song military uniform did not mean the hidden killer would receive him warmly.

The response came sooner than expected.

So-mu, walking in silence, suddenly knit his brows. In the same instant, his body launched off the ground like a spring.

*Slash!*

A flash of bright light erupted beneath his feet and instantly vanished. Two thick bamboo trees nearby were sliced clean through and fell.

Though he had avoided the ambush, So-mu did not let his guard down. A ray of sharp energy was chasing him even as he leaped.

Swinging his sword, So-mu unleashed a burst of sword qi downward. A crescent-shaped wave of blue light collided with the pursuing force below.

*Baaang!*

Propelling himself higher, So-mu landed gracefully, standing on the very tip of a bamboo stalk. He scanned his surroundings, but there was no trace of the attacker. Perhaps surprised by So-mu's agility, the hidden foe did not immediately follow up.

A moment later, a bizarre phenomenon occurred on the forest floor. Eerie lines of light began to ripple outward like waves, slicing dozens of bamboo trees simultaneously.

*Slash!*

So-mu leaped from the falling bamboo and descended back to the ground. He could have easily hopped to another tree, but he hadn't come here to run away. Landing on the dirt, he held his sword diagonally and scanned the area.

"Impressive."

As expected, there was nothing in sight.

A breath later, a faint afterimage flickered across his vision. It was a movement as swift as a lightning bolt. So-mu's sword reacted reflexively, tracing a defensive arc.

*Clang!*

It was a strike infused with sword qi. For it to be blocked meant the opponent was also capable of channeling qi through a blade.

It was definitely the Shadow King.

The attack did not end with a single strike. Numerous afterimages materialized, wrapping around So-mu in a whirlwind of motion. It was a ghostly display. Trapped in the center of the gale, So-mu swung his sword in all directions without pause.

*Clank! Clang! Clack!*

A rapid succession of sharp metallic rings echoed, vibrating through Yangjang Forest. The clashing sword qi within the whirlwind sparkled like a thunderstorm.

A duel between the Sword Saint and the Shadow King—a battle of the century. Had any martial artists been present to witness it, they would have gladly offered their entire fortunes just for a glimpse.

Suddenly, the tempest dissipated, and So-mu stood alone. Despite trading dozens of blows, So-mu had yet to catch a proper look at his opponent's face. This person was incomparable to the elite assassins he had encountered at Mount Hua. He was a master at the peak of the Flower Realm, possessing the natural instincts of a legendary killer.

So-mu lowered the tip of his sword, calmly waiting for the next strike. His goal was not to kill the Shadow King. Therefore, he could not use the Talhon Sword Technique, which was purely lethal. He had to subdue the Shadow King without using actual sword stances.

"Come."

So-mu could easily tell that his opponent was shaken. This was likely the first time the assassin's attacks had been blocked so effortlessly. True to his suspicion, the Shadow King hesitated to launch another strike.

So-mu spoke into the empty air, his voice carrying to wherever the assassin lay hidden.

"Trivial tricks won't work on me. Show me your true strength."

Suddenly, a thick, pale mist began to rise from beneath So-mu's feet.

This was no ordinary smoke screen. It spread with unnatural speed, blanketing an area of ten zhang within moments.

So-mu had heard of this strange technique before. A dense fog that carried the heavy scent of flowers—it was the All-Encompassing Shadow Fog, one of the ultimate secret arts of the Shadow Gate.

In the blinding, pale mist, a streak of light flashed. So-mu's sword moved reflexively, parrying the strike.

*Clang!*

A breath later, another flash of light erupted, but this time it was not a single strike. Before the first could fade, a second diagonal line of light cut through the fog. So-mu met it head-on, his sword matching the speed.

*Clang!*

The flashes grew increasingly rapid, resembling a storm of lightning.

*Clank! Clang! Clank!*

The sound of clashing sword qi shook Yangjang Forest. Trapped in the fog, So-mu's movements were terrifyingly fast. The speed at which he swung his sword, delivering dozens of parries in a single breath, was impossible for the naked eye to follow.

Suddenly, the Shadow King's movements created dozens of illusions, leaving a trail of afterimages. The All-Encompassing Shadow Fog had reached its peak.

*Baaang!*

With a massive boom, the mist was instantly blown away. The Shadow King was forced to reveal himself, taking a step back.

Seeing him clearly for the first time, So-mu looked on with interest. The man wore black robes but no mask. He had sharp, masculine features.

"I heard you became the Shadow King at an exceptionally young age. Your talent is indeed remarkable."

The Shadow King rested his taedo against his shoulder and spoke.

"To be the first to completely block the Shadow Gate's All-Encompassing Shadow Fog… I acknowledge your skill. Now, try to block this stance."

So-mu had heard of the Shadow Gate's ultimate stance: the Blood-Seeking Shadow Dance. It was a secret technique passed down exclusively from one sect leader to the next.

Maintaining his focus, So-mu extended the sword in his right hand forward and tucked his left hand behind his back. To sway this man's heart, he had to demonstrate overwhelming martial prowess. However, if he made even the slightest error, he would be the one to die.

The Shadow King's brow twitched. How dare this soldier attempt to block the Blood-Seeking Shadow Dance with only one hand.

Stepping forward, the Shadow King unleashed his sword. The tip of his taedo shot forward in a straight line, moving with the speed of lightning.

*Whoosh!*

So-mu tilted his head, letting the blade graze him by a hair's breadth.

That was only the beginning. Five strikes lunged at his vital points simultaneously. The Shadow King's speed momentarily touched the realm of the Profound Realm. It was a barrage where a single moment of distraction meant death. Yet So-mu parried every single one, his reaction speed leaving the Shadow King utterly astounded.

Soon, their figures blurred together as they traded blows, metallic rings echoing continuously.

*Clang! Clack! Clang!*

The Shadow King danced a dance of death, slashing dozens of times in a single breath. So-mu met him beat for beat, executing a defensive sword dance of his own. The space around them glowed brilliantly from the friction of their qi, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

As time wore on, it was the Shadow King who grew desperate. The Blood-Seeking Shadow Dance was a technique that temporarily exploded all the true energy in one's body to transcend normal limits. It was a double-edged sword that left the user completely exhausted once it ended.

He had never faced an opponent who could completely defend against the Blood-Seeking Shadow Dance. Furthermore, the soldier was mocking him by parrying every blow with just one hand. Now, only the final strike remained.

A moment later, the taedo, moving at the speed of light, lunged toward So-mu's throat. So-mu sensed that this was the final blow.

In a flash of light, So-mu's figure vanished from the spot. It was the Sword Saint's lightness technique, the Lightning Phantom Step.

A glaring opening appeared at the Shadow King's flank. Spotting the vulnerability, So-mu twisted his wrist. The flat of his blade swung forward, whistling through the air.

*Hummm!*

The flat of the sword struck the Shadow King's waist with immense force.

*Crack!*

"Urgh!"

Even though it was a strike with the flat of the blade rather than the edge, the impact was severe. Before the stumbling Shadow King could recover, So-mu's blade was already resting against his throat.

"You look as if you cannot believe it."

The Shadow King's eyes wavered, but there was no fear on his face.

"Kill me."

"Why?"

The Shadow King tilted his head slightly.

"Aren't you with the Hui Dynasty? Do not mock me, just kill me."

"I am merely a soldier of the Song Dynasty. Besides, you were the one who attacked first."

The assassin could not believe his ears. Why would a soldier of the Song Dynasty come all the way to the gates of Chang'an Fortress just to do this?

Now that he looked closer, the armor was indeed different from that of the Hui Dynasty. It also differed from the standard Song military uniforms he had seen, but the helmet carried the red tassels symbolizing the Song.

Still, even if he wasn't with the Hui, it was impossible for a mere soldier to possess such monstrous strength.

"What is your true identity?"

So-mu sheathed his sword and tucked it into his belt.

"I am currently leading the Wolf Fang Squad under General Jang Yang. Though I was once part of the jianghu."

To have been part of the jianghu and possess such strength narrowed it down to very few. How many people in the entire martial world could push him to this extent?

A legendary name came to mind.

"The Sword Saint…?"

"I recall being called that once."

The Shadow King's expression softened slightly. Losing to the Sword Saint was no dishonor.

"Why would someone of your stature serve in the military?"

To the Shadow King's question, So-mu countered with a serious expression, "Do you think it is shameful for a soldier to fight for his country and his people?"

The Shadow King fell silent. By his standards, it was an alien concept.

So-mu flicked his finger, sending a small object flying toward the assassin's chest. Catching it reflexively, the Shadow King stared at it in bewilderment. It was a single copper coin.

"I assume you still accept contracts?"

The Sword Saint, universally recognized as the greatest master in the martial world, was offering him a contract. And for the price of a single copper coin.

In truth, So-mu was broke because his salary for the month had not been paid. That copper coin was his entire net worth, as he had spent the rest on a gift for his daughter.

"The Shadow Gate has already been destroyed."

"I heard the Shadow Gate never accepted contracts to kill the innocent. If so, you are a necessary evil. Accept this contract, and I will help you rebuild the Shadow Gate."

If the Sword Saint lent his backing, the reconstruction of the Shadow Gate would undoubtedly gain massive momentum. However, there was a more pressing matter for the assassin.

"Before that, there is something I must do."

It was the response So-mu had anticipated. He knew exactly what the Shadow King wanted.

"Do you truly believe you can destroy the Hui Dynasty by fighting them alone? At best, you might scratch them. Accept my contract, and I promise you a complete and thorough revenge for the Shadow Gate."

The Shadow King couldn't help but ask, "What is the contract?"

"I want to hire you to protect General Jang Yang from those who seek to harm him."

It was a request to act as a bodyguard.

The Shadow King found it absurd that the Sword Saint would go to such lengths for a general, but his curiosity was piqued.

"What kind of man is he?"

"A man who wishes to change the world. And that change includes the destruction of the Hui Dynasty. Of course, that can only happen if you help him, Shadow King."

For some reason, the assassin wanted to see this general for himself. What kind of leader could command such loyalty from the Sword Saint?

Still, he could not accept blindly.

"I will observe this man myself and make my judgment."

So-mu smiled inwardly.

"Of course."

"Even if I accept, I will only act to fulfill the contract. I will not interfere in any other matter, regardless of the circumstances."

"If those are the rules of the Shadow Gate, so be it."

So-mu's heart felt much lighter.

He had done everything in his power. Whether they could sway the Shadow King's heart now lay entirely in the hands of General Jang Yang.