Chapter 406
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**Chapter 406. The Emperor’s Hidden Sword**
As the dark, black cloud covering the mountain pass dissipated, Shen Yanshou issued a concise order.
“Bring out the wounded.”
The spearmen, standing firm, immediately rushed to drag the sword division soldiers to the side.
Finally, only Yeon Jeokha remained in front of the mountain pass.
He didn’t move, calmly observing the soldiers of the Thousand Commander division.
Anyone seeing him would think he was in a desperate position, like a mantis trying to stop a carriage, but strangely, he emanated immense pressure.
Officer Huang Buseung unconsciously muttered,
“This man was born to be a general. It would be a shame if he died here…”
But what could he do?
Since the painstakingly trained sword division soldiers had been decimated, there was nothing left but to press on until the end.
Admiring his opponent’s presence, Huang Buseung decided to personally take command. It was a show of respect towards a formidable enemy.
When Huang Buseung moved, Shen Yanshou stepped back half a pace. He had read his superior’s intention and returned to his position as deputy commander.
Huang Buseung’s gaze fell upon the archers. As soon as he moved a finger, the archers drew their bows to the fullest extent.
The Taoists of the Upper Palace (Sangcheong Palace), seeing Yeon Namcheon’s mystical arts for the first time, blinked in disbelief. They knew of the Five Dragons Palace techniques, but had always considered them mere exorcism rituals or shamanic ceremonies. They had never seen anyone manipulate the wind and clouds with such precision using talismans. They had heard rumors of people managing to create weak thunder sounds or small gusts of wind, but never took them seriously. The techniques they knew barely differed from natural phenomena. But Yeon Namcheon was different.
The Sangcheong Palace elders belatedly realized:
‘So that’s why the Sect Leader protects him.’
With this level of technique, there was no doubt he was a great asset to the Wudang Sect.
Even Yeong Gyeolsang couldn’t hide his astonishment. Hearing about something and seeing it with one’s own eyes was like the difference between heaven and earth.
“Hah! I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but it’s truly incredible.”
He could only admire the sharp perception of Cheong Bulno, who had accepted him as a formal disciple. At first, he thought he would use his swordsmanship to fight his way through. But he was dealing with an entire army using only his mystical technique.
While Yeong Gyeolsang watched in astonishment, Mu Yangjin silently approached him.
“It’s the perfect time to use the Sect Leader’s Order. There isn’t another mystic in the orthodox sects who has reached this level. If the *Infinite Heaven Alliance* finds out, they’ll be delighted.”
Yeong Gyeolsang silently nodded. Even if he wasn’t just a mystic, if the elders accepted him, that was enough.
*”So now come the arrows, eh?”*
As the archers drew their bows, Yeon Jeokha paused briefly. The arrows could be deflected with bare hands. Even with his *Illusory Body* technique, he could easily avoid them. But he didn’t want to be jumping around in front of everyone.
“I can’t lose the dignity of Yeon Namcheon.”
Muttering to himself, he pulled another talisman from his robe. It was the *Black Cloud Talisman that Obscures the Sun*.
“When the sun meets dark clouds, it is hidden.”
It was a strange technique he had learned from Cheong Bulno. He had never used it before. Even his master, though he had learned it, had never put it into practice in his entire life. It was a wide-ranging technique.
The talisman flew from his hand. At the same time, the archers loosed their arrows.
*Swoosh!*
Everyone’s eyes followed the arrows soaring into the air. Midway between Yeon Jeokha and the archers, a small black cloud appeared. The arrows arced and fell to the ground, diverting everyone’s attention. While people followed the arrows, they didn’t notice how the black cloud explosively expanded.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
The arrows slammed forcefully into the ground around the mountain pass. Yeon Jeokha nimbly slipped between them, avoiding the rain of projectiles.
“Keep shooting!” Shen Yanshou shouted to the archers. They quickly drew more arrows from their quivers and nocked them. But no one could shoot. In the brief time they had reloaded, the sun had completely disappeared. It was as if a ghost had cursed them. Until a moment ago, the place was brightly lit. Now, it was total darkness. They couldn’t even see their own bows, much less distinguish north from south. Afraid of accidentally shooting their own allies, the archers held their breath.
At that moment, the veteran Shen Yanshou shouted forcefully, “Don’t shoot! Don’t move! Maintain your positions until the sun reappears.”
The archers relaxed their hands and waited for the light to return. In the dense darkness, only the soldiers’ held breaths could be heard.
Huang Buseung couldn’t believe what was happening. If he had known Yeon Namcheon possessed this power, he would have taken precautions. But he didn’t have mystics at his disposal, so he could only be frustrated.
Just as he let out a long sigh…
“Something’s not going well for you, is it?”
Huang Buseung, startled, drew his sword and swung it.
*Shiiik.*
But the sword only cut empty air. Huang Buseung quickly sheathed his sword and shouted in a sharp voice, “Who’s there?”
Again, a whisper reached his ear, “Why are you so scared? It’s me.”
With those words, someone placed a hand on his shoulder. At that moment, Huang Buseung couldn’t help but groan briefly. An unprecedented pressure oppressed his torso, making it difficult to breathe.
“Could it be Yeon Namcheon? I heard he’s a mystic from the Five Dragons Palace…”
But the force crushing him was clearly the inner energy of a martial artist.
“Ugh! Are you Yeon Namcheon?”
“Yes, I am.”
The soldiers under Huang Buseung’s command held their breath and listened to the conversation. Though frustrated, they couldn’t do anything in the darkness.
“I am a military officer appointed by the Emperor. It’s not too late, surrender.”
“It seems you’re the one who should surrender.”
“Your behavior is not good for the Five Dragons Palace or the Wudang Sect. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“If you use my name to attack the Palace, you’ll be the first to die. How about I do it this way?”
“…”
Huang Buseung didn’t respond. He had a feeling Yeon Namcheon was capable of it.
“You’re a disciple of the Wudang Sect, how can you be so cruel?”
“Cruel? Look who’s talking. You shot arrows at someone who was standing quietly in front of the mountain gate. You have no right to speak. If I weren’t skillful, I’d be riddled with arrows now.”
“I’m a military officer of the Ministry of War, I only follow orders. There’s no mercy for criminals. Don’t compare yourself to me, you’re threatening to kill the Emperor’s servants.”
“So you’re going to go to the end?”
A lethal aura emanated from Yeon Jeokha’s body. Huang Buseung trembled under the pressure but didn’t respond. He preferred to die rather than submit to a criminal. His determination was clearly conveyed to Yeon Jeokha.
“Damn it.”
This was the kind of situation that made him hesitate. If he used force to subdue him, he should surrender. If the opponent were a villain, he could kill him or let him live without remorse. But this case was different. Killing him or letting him live would leave him unsatisfied.
While Yeon Jeokha pondered Huang Buseung’s life and death, the clouds began to slowly disperse.
“General!”
Shen Yanshou, about 15 meters away, ran towards them. Behind him, five hundred spearmen surrounded Yeon Jeokha and Huang Buseung.
*Chu chuk chuk!*
Spear points aimed at Yeon Jeokha.
“Yeon Namcheon! Take your hands off the General and retreat! If not…!”
Shen Yanshou couldn’t finish his sentence. In reality, Yeon Namcheon was in control, so threats wouldn’t work.
Yeon Jeokha looked bewildered at Huang Buseung and the spearmen. He had thought subduing the commander would end the situation, but things had become complicated.
“Are martial artists and military officers different?”
Martial artists surrendered when subdued by force. Everyone did, regardless of sect. But the military officer in front of him was different. He knew that if he resisted, he would die, but he wouldn’t surrender.
“What do I do now…?”
As Yeon Jeokha pondered, the sound of approaching horse hooves was heard. A group of about ten military officers appeared. Shen Yanshou, who had been glancing sideways, hurriedly ran towards them. The spearmen quickly raised their spears to the sky to let Shen Yanshou pass. Shen Yanshou pushed his way through the soldiers and saluted the officer in front.
“General! I am Shen Yanshou, Deputy Commander of Cheonhoso!”
Commander-in-Chief Shin Myeong-hwi nodded with a bitter expression.
“Undersecretary Han Gyeong-dae and the Magistrate of Joksan-hyeon have been accused of moving Cheonhoso troops for personal matters. Immediately withdraw the Cheonhoso troops.”
“Understood!”
Shen Yanshou didn’t ask questions and withdrew. Soon after, the Cheonhoso soldiers left the area in order. Commander-in-Chief Shin Myeong-hwi and his group rode to the mountain gate.
Yeon Jeokha removed his hand from Huang Buseung’s shoulder. Huang Buseung, freed from the pressure, trembled and quickly moved away. Then he approached the Commander-in-Chief’s group.
“General.” Huang Buseung bowed his head. A wave of humiliation and shame made his shoulders tremble.
Shin Myeong-hwi, who had dismounted, briefly looked at him and then passed by. Huang Buseung silently followed General Shin Myeong-hwi. Shin Myeong-hwi’s face, which had been tense, softened as if it were a lie.
“Master Yeon, I’ve heard much about you. I am Shin Myeong-hwi, Commander-in-Chief of Hubei Province.”
“Ah, yes, I am Yeon Namcheon, disciple of the Five Dragons Palace.”
Nam Jin-mu, a member of the Golden Guard who had come with Shin Myeong-hwi, smiled and said, “We’re late, sorry. Secretary Shi Yan handled things too quickly and delayed us. We brought the General to quickly resolve the situation, please forgive us.”
“Ha, ha. No need for apologies. It’s a good thing. I was just thinking about how to resolve this problem.”
Shin Myeong-hwi looked at Huang Buseung. “General Huang, you were lucky. It seems you have honored your ancestors well in your busy life.”
Huang Buseung couldn’t understand the current situation. He knew that an undersecretary and a magistrate had done something wrong. But what did he mean by “you were lucky”? That wasn’t something said to a subordinate who almost died at the hands of a mystic.
“General, do you know Master Yeon?”
Shin Myeong-hwi looked around and spoke softly, “You must have also heard about ‘The Emperor’s Hidden Sword’.”
“The Heavenly Swordsman?”
Huang Buseung was so surprised he covered his mouth with his hand. Recently, rumors circulated among military officers. It was said that there was an absolute master who secretly aided members of the Golden Guard, the Emperor’s personal guard. Military officers called him “The Heavenly Swordsman”. He thought it was just a rumor spread by the court, but did he really exist?