Chapter 126 : Bandits Are Dangerous (3)

Chapter 126: Bandits Are Dangerous (3)

As we descended a bit further, a sudden sound like a rainstorm came from somewhere.

“Arrows! Protect the guards and take cover!”

I recognized that sound all too well.

The bandits didn’t attack by revealing themselves from the start.

People misunderstood many things about bandits.

There were very few who revealed themselves recklessly. Most would first shoot arrows to reduce the number of guards, then begin the fight.

And seasoned bandits didn’t aim for the guards first—they went after the cargo carriers.

It was effective.

Sure enough, right after my shout, arrows rained down from the sky.

Since everyone had taken cover behind or under the wagons, no one was harmed.

If it hadn’t been for my quick warning again this time, we all would have suffered heavy damage.

‘A textbook bandit attack. They dig traps, shoot arrows, and then throw axes.’

They were the kind who threw axes the moment someone stood up, relieved at having avoided the arrows. It was unexpectedly powerful because they aimed for that brief moment of carelessness.

Even in my previous life, expert-level guards had fallen to this kind of attack.

When others tried to stand up, I said,

“Axes will be flying next. If you hear something coming at you, don’t block it with your sword—just dodge it.”

The reason bandits threw axes was because guards reflexively tried to block them with their swords.

And those swords often broke from the impact.

Once that happened, guards who lost their weapons had no choice but to struggle against the bandits.

Whoosh!

As expected, the moment they stood up, axes flew in from all directions.

Following my words, the guards and the Heavenly Dragon Riders didn’t try to deflect them with their swords but simply dodged.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The axes embedded themselves in the wagons, but no one was harmed.

“Hahaha! I’m curious what distinguished caravan leader managed to repel all of our mountain stronghold’s attacks!”

A loud voice rang out from atop the mountain.

He assumed that a seasoned caravan leader must be commanding, since they had managed to fend off the log traps, arrows, and axe attacks.

I gave a signal with my eyes to the caravan leader, Kwak Cheong.

Understanding the cue, Kwak Cheong stepped forward and shouted,

“I am Kwak Cheong, leader of the River Center Escort Agency. May I meet the mountain lord?”

At his words, people began to show themselves atop the mountain.

There were quite a few of them.

Roughly around fifty.

And all of them emanated an aura from their eyes no less fierce than seasoned martial artists. It was a pressure ordinary bandits could never emit.

“Are you the mountain lord?”

Kwak Cheong addressed the large man standing at the front.

“No. I am Bang Yeorip, Vice Chief of Pyeongyeo Mountain. Like I said earlier, if you just leave the wagons, we won’t attack you.”

At Bang Yeorip’s words, Ho Maeyok snapped,

“Hmph! Do you even know who we are? You dare to target goods protected by the Mount Hua Sect?”

She intended to use the name of Mount Hua to subdue the bandits.

No matter how foolish the bandits might be, she thought they would at least know what kind of force Mount Hua was.

“I didn’t know Taoists from Mount Hua ran escort agencies.”

“Hmph, it’s not the sect—it’s secular disciples who run them!”

At Sa Ilhyang’s retort, the big man grinned.

“So many young ladies this time. Looks like the stronghold will be lively.”

At those words, Sa Ilhyang and Ho Maeyok shouted furiously.

“Let’s see if you can still talk like that after your head rolls off!”

I came to a conclusion—these were no ordinary bandits.

‘How could such men be in Pyeongyeo Mountain?’

These men weren’t intimidated even after hearing the name of Mount Hua.

That could mean they were either completely ignorant—or very confident.

In a situation like this, I knew there was only one best option.

“Master Ho.”

“Yes, Young Master Yong. Please speak.”

Even Ho Cheongun respected my judgment, as I had virtually taken command of the situation.

“I’ll handle things here. Take the wagons and head downhill.”

“What? You intend to face them alone?”

I shook my head.

“I’m not alone. The Three Chivalrous Sisters will stay as well.”

At that, the Heavenly Dragon Riders also tried to stay.

I told them,

“Focus on guarding the cargo. I can handle these men on my own, so don’t worry. Also, there may be more bandits down the path. You’ll need to hold them off when the time comes.”

They knew my skill level, so none of them believed I would be taken down by bandits.

And since they had a mission to protect the cargo, they followed my order. If this weren’t a caravan escort, they probably wouldn’t have listened no matter what I said, but now, with the mission at hand, they had to leave, even if reluctantly.

“Understood. Then we’ll head down. Be careful, Young Master.”

“There may be more traps. Be cautious on the way down.”

As I spoke, Ho Cheongun nodded.

When the Three Chivalrous Sisters came to stand beside me, I let out a small chuckle.

I knew they wouldn’t leave even if I told them to, so I didn’t bother stopping them.

Bang Yeorip raised a hand to stop his subordinates who were trying to pursue the wagons.

“Hold. That one is not someone you can handle.”

He had gauged my level and ordered his men to stand down.

“General, if we delay here, we’ll lose the wagons.”

“Dealing with them comes first. Don’t be impatient.”

At his words, his men said no more and stepped back.

Watching this, I tilted my head slightly.

‘Aren’t they acting like trained military troops?’

There was no way ordinary bandits could move with such discipline.

‘Now I’m really curious.’

As Bang Yeorip approached me, a subordinate handed him a black spear.

“You should’ve just left the wagons when I told you.”

Bang Yeorip said, gripping his black spear.

“Mm!”

As Bang Yeorip gripped the black spear, his aura changed dramatically. I swallowed hard.

He was no mere bandit—his presence was that of a true master.

“I don’t understand why someone like you would resort to being a bandit.”

“Doesn’t everyone have a story?”

From Bang Yeorip’s eyes, a fierce light burst forth.

It was clear he had trained in martial arts.

I spoke firmly.

“If you insist on stopping us, you will be gravely injured. Let us pass.”

To that, Bang Yeorip smiled faintly.

“A man who suits my tastes has finally come along. I can’t just let you go.”

His black spear shot forward toward my chest like lightning.

It moved like a bolt of light—far too fast to dodge.

Clang!

I drew my sword to block the spear, but the impact forced me to slide backward.

“Ugh!”

A second groan escaped my lips.

The shock reverberated through my entire body, and I was inwardly astonished.

‘Who is this man, to possess such monstrous strength?’

I had instinctively summoned the power of one meridian and barely managed to block it, yet it still wasn’t enough.

“As I thought, you’re no pushover. It’s been a while since someone blocked my Spear That Pierces Stone.”

Bang Yeorip’s grin deepened.

‘He’s stronger than anyone I’ve fought so far… comparable to the Blood Demon or that middle-aged Demonic Master.’

With a single exchange, I grasped his level and drew upon the Demonic Master’s power.

Vrrrrmmm!

As my sword emitted a hum, Bang Yeorip nodded.

“That’s more like it. Where are you from? A Taoist from Mount Hua?”

“I’m Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

“Heavenly Central Sect?”

Bang Yeorip had heard the name once or twice, but had never heard of such a master emerging from it.

Because he was holed up in the mountain stronghold, he hadn’t heard of my growing reputation.

“If you can take my black spear, I’ll let you go.”

I had never lost before.

So his words stung my pride.

“Come at me! I’ll break that arrogant nose of yours!”

Whoosh!

From that moment, Bang Yeorip’s black spear began to dance.

I had never fought a true spear master before, and I didn’t know how to respond.

‘Damn, a master of this level is too much without help from the Demonic Master.’

I was struck by the reality that I hadn’t relied on my own strength so far, but the Demonic Master’s aid to defeat formidable foes.

Because his martial arts and inner energy were so overwhelming, I was completely on the defensive.

When I summoned the power of one more meridian to respond, Bang Yeorip looked surprised.

“Young one, how the hell do you have so much internal energy? How many spiritual elixirs did you gulp down?”

But even as I responded with two meridians' worth of power, it wasn’t enough.

When I finally summoned the energy of three meridians, Bang Yeorip roared so loud it seemed the mountain might collapse.

“It’s been years since I’ve used my full strength! Glorious! This is wonderful!”

He seemed thrilled to be facing a real fighter for the first time in a long while.

‘Damn it, Master!’

When I couldn’t find an opening to strike, I called for the Demonic Master.

I stimulated the upper dantian to awaken him.

‘What is it?’

While I created an opening to speak to him, my shoulder was wounded.

Blood spurted up and splashed across my face.

“Kh!”

‘You fool. This is what happens when you fight any random opponent. Do you think you’re some unrivaled master? That man is beyond your league.’

Even the Demonic Master seemed shocked after seeing Bang Yeorip’s black spear.

Soon, he recognized the spear technique.

‘That’s the Yellow Dragon Infinite Spear Technique. It’s a royal martial art, passed down only through the imperial family. It was said to have been lost during the Yuan Dynasty. I recognize it because I once fought a master from the palace. Even I struggled against it.’

If it was a technique that even the Demonic Master had trouble with, it had to be a supreme martial art.

‘A mere bandit knows royal martial arts? Something stinks. And it’s not just a stolen or copied version—it’s the real thing.’

‘Before you lecture me, I’m about to die here. Do something!’

‘So, you really can’t fight without me, can you?’

As I continued to be pushed back, the Three Chivalrous Sisters didn’t wait for instruction—they launched a joint attack against Bang Yeorip.

But not long after, they were all forced to retreat repeatedly.

Vrrrrmmmm!

Each time the black spear struck, a sharp resonance echoed, and every blow left their bodies tingling.

‘Isn’t there a way?’

‘Not with your current level. Before, I could point out weaknesses and you could exploit them, but that man has already perfected the Yellow Dragon Infinite Spear Technique. That won’t work anymore.’

‘Even if I draw out the full power of three meridians?’

‘Foolish brat. That man has the power of three meridians too. But he’s generating that spear resonance without even infusing energy into it. He’s definitely someone who consumed rare spiritual elixirs from the imperial palace.’

Frustration boiled up inside me at the thought that Bang Yeorip’s inner energy matched mine, but his martial arts surpassed mine.

‘If there’s a way, it’s to push your level to an entirely new stage.’

‘How am I supposed to do that here?’

‘Do you think you’ve reached the pinnacle of martial arts? There are plenty at your level scattered across the martial world.’