If Dam Soo-Cheon was fire, then Jin Mu-Won was water. The former asserted himself through his fiery disposition, while the latter adapted to everything in his stride like formless water.

SWOOSH!

Just as Dam Soo-Cheon was about to call out to Jin Mu-Won, a violent torrent of energy tore through the air, zooming straight at Dam Soo-Cheon like a bolt of lightning.

CRASH!

The attack slammed into Dam Soo-Cheon, stirring up a whirlwind of dust. Jin Mu-Won shielded his eyes from the devastating windstorm and backed away.

Damned brat! You sure ran away quickly, but we still caught up to you!

When the dust cloud settled, three men wearing red robes and matching red bamboo hats[1] appeared. Oddly, they had identical auras like triplets born on the same day at the same time.

They each wielded a crimson longsword with the edges sharpened so finely that Jin Mu-Won could sense the keenness of the blades despite having retreated out of the battlefield.

Jin Mu-Won frowned. These three martial artists had pretty distinct characteristics, but for some reason, he hadnt heard of them before. Although he lived in the isolated North, he always made Uncle Hwang tell him about the famous martial artists of the Central Plains, so he expected to be able to recognize most of them, if not all.

Dam Soo-Cheon stood in the middle of the battlefield. Despite enduring a direct hit from the assassins, he was totally unscathed.

I wondered who they were, but it seems like these people are related to the ones I fought previously.

Dam Soo-Cheons eyes flashed with excitement. He bellowed, Who goes there? I cant believe you guys attacked me without warning!

Dam Soo-Cheons roar was intimidating, but it wasnt enough to make the red-robed men flinch. Rather, all he did was make them openly hostile toward him.

Did you think that you would be able to get away scot-free after annihilating the Shrouded Ghost Squad?

The Shrouded Ghost Squad?

Dam Soo-Cheons eyes glinted as he recalled the warriors who had assaulted him on his way to the Northern Army Fortress.

Shrouded Ghost Squad, Shrouded Ghost Squad Ah! I think I remember now. I guess its just as well that you guys are here to take revenge for them because I have a lot of questions for you. For example, who exactly are those guys? Also, why did they try to get in my way?

The Shrouded Ghost Squad and their leader, the Shrouded Fire Demon. None of them were ordinary opponents. Most importantly, Ive never heard of warriors like them in the Central Plains before.

Maybe others couldnt be sure of this, but not me. After all, Ive made absolutely sure to pay attention to every small detail of everything happening in the gangho.

In addition, the martial arts used by the Shrouded Ghost Squad are very different from the rest of the gangho. So different, in fact, that they could be said to be operating on opposing principles. How interesting is that?!

Dam Soo-Cheon looked at the red-robed men. He couldnt see their faces clearly because of their bamboo hats, but his instincts told him that they werent ordinary martial artists.

Who are you? one of the men asked.

You guys came after me without even knowing who I am?

Dam Soo-Cheon narrowed his eyes. He did not know which faction the Shrouded Ghost Squad and the Shrouded Fire Demon belonged to. Likewise, these people affiliated with them had no idea who he was. They only sought him out because he had obliterated the entire squad.

They are probably pursuing me for no other reason than to eliminate a potential obstacle to their plans.

The red-robed man continued asking, How are you related to the Northern Army?

The Northern Army? I hold them in high esteem, and have wished to visit their headquarters for the longest time.

So youre saying, you have no ties to them at all?

Before today, that would have been the truth. By the way, just who are you people?

This isnt fair, you know. Ive answered all of your questions, so its only natural that you answer mine, right?

Suddenly, the red-robed mens killing aura intensified and their chi began to stir.

This is an interrogation. You have no right to ask questions.

Dams Soo-Cheons face darkened with rage.

These people arent normal. I had a feeling that there was something off about the Shrouded Ghost Squad back when I fought them, but I couldnt get any answers out of them because of their mental resilience.

They possess a ridiculous killing intent and display incredible courage in the face of fear. Those arent things that can be learned in just a day or two. They would have had to overcome countless hardships and go through rigorous training to become like that.

There arent many organizations in the Central Plains that can accomplish this. Even if they could, that doesnt mean that they have done so. At least, not to my knowledge.

In conclusion, these people most likely belong to a faction that I am unfamiliar with. Not that thats a bad thing!

The red-robed men charged at Dam Soo-Cheon, their blades slicing through the air.

WHOOSH!

A black wind surrounded Dam Soo-Cheon, obscuring his vision from the razor-sharp crimson swords concealed within. In Jin Mu-Wons eyes, it was as if Dam Soo-Cheon had been swallowed by a tsunami of red and black.

Dam Soo-Cheon appeared to be in grave danger. Any moment now, he could be ripped to shreds. Even so, he remained motionless.

Are you just going to give up and do nothing?

I highly doubt that!

Jin Mu-Won could sense a tremendous chi radiating out from inside the battlefield, and at the very center of this chi storm, stood Dam Soo-Cheon.

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, the rays of a blindingly bright, white light pierced through the sea of red and black. The light was so glaring that not only Jin Mu-Won, but even the three assassins were forced to squeeze their eyes shut in pain.

BOOM!

GEUHEUK!

A deafening clap of thunder resounded throughout the battlefield, followed almost immediately by the sound of someone throwing up blood.

Jin Mu-Won opened his eyes, only to see a red-robed assassin soaring in midair, his chest sunken inwards unnaturally.

Dam Soo-Cheons explosive punch had literally sent the man flying.

Lil bro! The eyes of the two assassins still alive became dyed red with hatred and grief for their dead brother.

However, Dam Soo-Cheon wasnt about to let go of this opportunity. He charged towards the remaining assassins like a raging tempest.

ROAR!

The wind from Dam Soo-Cheons attack slammed into his opponents, engulfing them in a devastating whirlwind of light.

In response, the assassins spat out wave after wave of crimson sword chi infused with blood, shouting in unison, BREAK THROUGH! CASCADING RAIN OF BLOOD ()! [2]

A sea of crimson blades plunged downward like a waterfall, raining directly upon Dam Soo-Cheon.

Although this move was a double-edged sword, the assassins knew that Dam Soo-Cheon would not be able to continue attacking them while dodging their bombardment. If he was a normal person, he would definitely retreat at this point and wait for his next opportunity.

Unfortunately for them, Dam Soo-Cheon was not normal. He was a man who seized every opening without fail.

SMASH!

Dam Soo-Cheon let out a ear-splitting roar as he rammed right into the assassins.

A moment later, Jin Mu-Won clearly saw two men being sent flying like rag dolls.

When the assassins bodies finally plummeted back to the ground, they split into a dozen misshapen pieces on impact. There was no sign of life left on their faces. They had died the instant Dam Soo-Cheons attack had hit them.

Jin Mu-Won looked at Dam Soo-Cheon. The man hadnt gotten away unscathed from his reckless charge. His face was pale, and he seemed unsteady on his feet. In addition, there was a crimson sword sticking out of his back.

A suicide attack.

Thats not something that just anyone can do. How many people would willingly choose to put their own life at risk for the sake of killing their opponent?

Huff...huff panted Dam Soo-Cheon, raising his head to face Jin Mu-Won. He was drenched in blood, but his eyes were sparkling.

Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Dam Soo-Cheon.

...I am Jin Mu-Won.

The first meeting between the two men who would one day be called the Martial Emperor of the Azure Sky and the Northern Blade, occurred while standing atop a pile of corpses.

Er, what happened to you!?

Mister Dam?

As Dam Soo-Cheon entered the Northern Army Fortress, Shim Won-Ui and Seo-Moon Hye-Ryungs jaws dropped in shock. However, he ignored them and turned to Jin Mu-Won instead, saying, Thank you for allowing me to stay here without prior notice.

Dont worry, the doors of the Northern Army Fortress are open to all. Rest well, and I hope you feel better soon.

Jin Mu-Won gave Dam Soo-Cheon a fist salute, then walked out of the central plaza. Dam Soo-Cheon watched him as he left.

Wah, its Dam-orabeoni! It sure took you long enough to get here! exclaimed Shim Soo-Ah, who had come running as soon as she heard of Dam Soo-Cheons arrival.

Shim Soo-Ah grabbed Dam Soo-Cheons hands in greeting. Alarmed, Seo-Moon Hye-Ryung glared at her.

Jin Mu-Won made his way to a secluded corner of the fortress, then quickly released the fists he had been clenching tightly all this time. His palms were covered in cold sweat, and his fingernails had left imprints on his skin.

Dam Soo-Cheon.

I never imagined that a guy like that could exist.

Not only does he have the explosive power of a volcano, he also doesnt hesitate to place himself in danger in order to get what he wants.

He makes good decisions quickly and rationally. To call him a genius would be a grave understatement.

He is a born warrior.

Jin Mu-Won suddenly felt a pang in his heart. He turned to look at the Lofty Sky Manor, where Dam Soo-Cheon was staying. For a moment, it was as if he could see an illusion of a slumbering dragon coiled around the building.

At the thought of this young warrior of the same generation, his heart tingled with both excitement and trepidation.

Footnotes:

[1] Bamboo hat: A big woven hat meant to provide shade from the sun and block the rain.

[2] BREAK THROUGH! CASCADING RAIN OF BLOOD ()!: Literal translation - Go! Ten Thousand Droplets of Blood Erode and Break Through!