Chapter 146 - The Ones Wearing Black Masks (5)

"I knew it from the moment I came here with Young Master Jin. Going on a trip with that man? My foot..."

Seong Moran grumbled as she took off her flashy ornaments and outer garments.

"I told you from the start that we weren't here for a trip..."

"Did I say anything about it? Why are you eavesdropping on me talking to myself?"

'No, if you mutter right next to my ear in this quiet place, isn't that meant to be heard?'

"... Once this is over, I will treat you to a grand feast at the Songhyang Pavilion."

"Who would like a courtesan house that only men go to...? I heard renting a boat on Dongting Lake to enjoy the night view is wonderful..."

Bringing up something as trivial as a boat on Dongting Lake when we were in a situation where we had to face the Mount Cangshan Sect was her own way of being considerate.

I gladly nodded my head.

"Just the night view? How about we rent the largest and most luxurious boat, hire musicians, and bring a chef along to enjoy ourselves? If we're going to enjoy a vacation, that is how we should do it, isn't it?"

Seong Moran flared her nostrils and pursed her lips, forcing herself to hold back her laughter.

"Well... that sounds fine. But is Young Master Jin going to be okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Spending that much money and going up against Mount Cangshan. To be honest, there is nothing for Young Master Jin to gain once this matter is resolved."

"..."

I had been nothing but a meat shield, but I still risked my life on the front lines of the battlefield to stop the forces of the Demonic Path.

The Orthodox faction's hypocrisy was not a new development, but seeing bastards don the masks of the Demonic Cult just to further their own interests made my stomach churn to the point of nausea.

"Isn't this something a warrior who wields a sword should naturally do?"

"..."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It just doesn't seem fitting for the rising star of the Underworld Murim to say something like that. An Underworld hero..."

"... Keep saying things like that and you'll cause a misunderstanding..."

"Eldest Senior Brother, they've started moving."

Geumpyo said as he looked back.

I stopped talking and turned my gaze.

Three men emerged with a creak from a pavilion that looked like an abandoned building on the outskirts of Yueyang.

One was the waiter we had met at the Hwawol Pavilion, while the other two were men I was seeing for the first time.

While the waiter returned to Yueyang, the other men began moving in the opposite direction.

"They're on the move."

"Where do you think they're going?"

"They are probably moving to verify the authenticity of the information while reporting to their superiors. The mastermind will likely appear then."

"As expected... True to an Underworld martial artist, you quickly grasp their nature."

"..."

'This woman, seriously.'

* * *

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers, me, and Seong Moran—the five of us quietly trailed the men.

Since the Geum-eun-dong Brothers and I could execute the Turtle Breath Footwork, we stuck close to the men, while Seong Moran followed from a distance with an expression full of curiosity.

The place we arrived at after following the men was an isolated manor on the outskirts of Yueyang.

We were currently hiding on the roof of the manor.

Seong Moran looked around with a serious expression.

-Did they hide the people somewhere else?

We searched every corner of the manor, but we could not find the captives anywhere.

Furthermore, the heavy security made our investigation even more difficult.

However, there was one thing that caught my eye.

-That's probably not it.

-Why?

-Aren't there too many wagon wheel tracks at that back gate? The manor doesn't look like it's used much normally, so why would there be wheel tracks left behind?

-Ah...

-They were probably transporting people or the food meant for them.

-You really know this stuff well.

-... What is that supposed to mean?

-Nothing. Anyway, that means they're somewhere in this manor, so where do you think they are?

-... The Haomun Yueyang Branch. Wasn't its underground quite spacious?

-Right.

-If no sunlight comes in from outside and the interior is blocked by partition walls, wouldn't they have no way of knowing where they are?

-So that means we have to search the underground in the end?

Relying on the moonlight peeking through the clouds, I pointed at the warehouse to the south.

-I think they might be in there.

-Why?

-If they post guards outside a warehouse like that, doesn't it mean they've either hidden gold and treasures inside, or whatever is in there is worth as much as gold and treasures?

-Hmm... I guess we'll have to wait until Seonhwa brings people.

I shook my head. Our plan was never that relaxed to begin with.

-They will try to move quickly because of the Namgung Clan. If we wait, we might lose them all.

Now that they knew Jeonghwa was connected to the Namgung Clan, they would be keeping an eye on the clan as well.

The best method right now was to hold them off until the Namgung Clan arrived.

Seong Moran's eyes widened from behind her black mask.

-Are you crazy? You want us to handle this ourselves? There are over eighty men here alone.

-I will cause as much of a commotion as possible. While I do that, please rescue the people, Lady Seong.

-...

-I suspect Mount Cangshan is involved. If they step in as well, we won't be able to resolve this matter anymore.

-A-Alright. In exchange... don't die.

-Understood.

Seong Moran took a few steps before looking back at us.

-Even if your arms or legs get cut off, try to keep your face from getting hurt as much as possible.

-... Are you sure you're worrying about me right now?

'What an extreme way to worry.'

-... Anyway, be careful. I'll move as fast as I can.

I looked at the Geum-eun-dong Brothers and asked.

"Lady Seong told us not to die. Are you worried?"

Geumpyo readjusted his grip on his sword with a dumbfounded expression and said.

"She'd probably faint if she heard that Senior Brother Jin threw us into the Ssangmak Stronghold."

'No, when did I ever throw you...'

The guys threw themselves down before they could even hear my excuse.

* * *

Muwol Squad Captain Jeong Somyeong's eyes twitched as he listened to the report.

'Crazy...'

'The Namgung Clan? What do you mean, the Namgung Clan? Does this even make any sense? A mere courtesan is tied to the Namgung Clan...?'

"Are you certain?"

"It hasn't been confirmed yet, but..."

"But what? Finish your damn sentence properly, you bastard! Do you not realize that our sect's survival is on the line right now!"

"We received intel that the Cangqiong Merchant Group placed a commission with the Beggars' Sect to find Jeonghwa."

They must have felt something was strange while searching themselves and put in a request. Furthermore, the ones looking for Jeonghwa were Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran.

It was well-known that the two of them were close friends, which only added credibility to the information.

"Just a little longer, and we could have swallowed the Cheongjuk Pavilion whole..."

It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped. If they were caught here, the Cheongjuk Pavilion would be the least of their problems.

"What is the status of the Cheongjuk Pavilion Master?"

"He commissioned the Mount Cangshan Sect for the job and is currently staying at the Seongsa Tea House."

Originally, the plan was to drag it out for a few more days, present his daughter while claiming they barely found her, and secure the contract, but now that things had come to this, they couldn't afford to leave any evidence behind.

"Kill the bitch named Jeonghwa and dump her corpse in Dongting Lake. Mobilize all the sect's warriors. We are moving the manor."

"Yes, sir!"

"Hurry up. If the Namgung Clan moves first..."

AAAGH!

Jeong Somyeong's words were cut off by a scream from outside.

URGH!

CRASH!

A loud boom like an explosion followed the screams.

They had already arrived? Was that even possible timeframe-wise?

Absolutely not.

Jeong Somyeong's head snapped around so fast it looked like his neck might break.

"You bastards! You brought a tail with you!"

"T-That's impossible. We checked three times before coming here."

"..."

In that case, there was only one conclusion.

The intruders were experts at a level where his subordinates wouldn't notice them.

Jeong Somyeong's face turned completely white.

"Request help from the sect immediately... No, go straight to the Seongsa Tea House!"

"... Y-Yes, sir!"

"I will go out there myself."

The sight that greeted Jeong Somyeong's eyes as he stepped out of the pavilion was utterly disastrous.

The elites selected from his sect were scattered everywhere, and the masked attackers were swinging their swords without hesitation.

Having witnessed the culprits' skills for even a brief moment, Jeong Somyeong quickly concluded that these were not people he could easily face.

"Everyone, halt!"

Jeong Somyeong raised his voice even louder.

"Did I not tell you to halt!"

Only then did the warriors of the Muwol Sect step back.

"What brings you gentlemen of the night to such an isolated place?"

While speaking to the intruders, Jeong Somyeong quickly sent out a sound transmission.

-Gather all the warriors in the manor here.

He then calmly continued his words.

"Are you aware that this manor is operated by the Muwol Sect?"

"..."

Despite trying to resolve things nicely with words, the intruders remained silent as if they were mute.

"If you've come after wealth, you're at the wrong place. This is a training ground built for the warriors of the Muwol Sect."

The intruders remained silent.

However, observing the intruders closely revealed something strange.

While there was someone who was tall and heavily built, there was also someone who looked like a child whose growth had not yet finished.

'Are they kids, perhaps?'

Reaching that thought, Jeong Somyeong felt a wave of heat slowly rising within him.

"If you're not going to say anything, then why did you come here?"

After confirming that almost all the warriors of the Yuwol Sect had gathered, Jeong Somyeong's tone started to become sharp.

"You foolish bastards. To walk into your own graves like this."

"..."

The largest of the intruders raised a sword as pitch-black as the mask he wore.

"What are you waiting for?"

Jeong Somyeong's patience reached its limit at the words of the intruder acting like he owned the place.

"Attack! Show them the terror of the Muwol Sect!"

"Yes, sir!"

The momentarily halted battle resumed.

* * *

The martial art I used the most in my past life was, without a doubt, the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique.

Not because it was the strongest martial art, but because it consumed the least internal energy—it was an unavoidable choice.

Five warriors of the Muwol Sect rushed in first.

When attack points converge on a single spot, it ironically leaves no room to dodge.

Instead of retreating, I stepped forward and thrust with the Lesser Heaven Sword Technique.

"Urgh."

A warrior whose right shoulder had been pierced dropped his sword and collapsed.

I dodged the warrior frantically swinging his sword at the unexpected situation and sliced off his heel.

"AAAGH!"

When raw flesh and tendons are severed, even a demonic practitioner would clutch their wound and fall.

I leaped off the body of the fallen warrior and simultaneously pierced the vital points of three warriors.

CLANG, CLANG, STAB.

Two of the attacks were blocked, but the third was effective. A fountain of blood sprayed as an agonized groan erupted.

"What are you doing! Kill him at once!"

Warriors flocked to the commotion.

The steadily increasing numbers quickly spread out and served as their courage.

I had struck down three, but six more were added.

It was no different from my past life.

Battles against demons were always like this. So many gathered that it was impossible to tell if it was humans or a tidal wave, and before long, my meager internal energy would run dry, leaving me to block their swords with muscle strength alone.

Swords swung solely on the instinct to survive, without even knowing the reason why.

Whether it was because my desperate feelings reached them, or thanks to the chaotic situation of the battlefield, there were times when I managed to drive my sword into the nape of an opponent clad in Sword Qi.

"Urgh."

"Gasp, gasp, gasp."

"Gurgle."

Just like the Muwol Sect warriors dying with gaping wounds in their necks right now.

The demonic practitioners from back then also uniformly wore expressions of disbelief at their own deaths, just like these men.

"You idiots! Are you saving your sword array to make soup with it!"

The indiscriminately swarming warriors opened up some distance.

I tenaciously stuck to them and swung my sword to end it before they could form their sword array.

CLASH-CLASH-CLANG, STAB.

After exchanging three forms, a Muwol Sect warrior would fall.

Again, after three forms, another Muwol Sect warrior's blood would spill.

It was a situation similar to the battlefields of my past life, but a completely different sight unfolded.

"Deploy array!"

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

Thirty swordsmen began to spin in a circle in unison.

The Muwol Sect's Thirty Muwol Sword Array was unrivaled when it came to sheer offensive power.

"We will take this!"

With Eunho's shout, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers deployed the White Tiger Lethal Sword Array.

The sword techniques of the three, who had been moving individually, began to shift as if executed by a single person.

"Gold-Silver Armor!"

With Eunho's shout, the three of them simultaneously scattered the Twin Heaven Sword Art.

The Thirty Muwol Sword Array, which looked as though it would instantly shatter the Geum-eun-dong Brothers' array, could advance no further, as if it had met a solid steel wall.

CLASH-CLASH-CLASH-CLASH!

Even though the Muwol Sect had a significantly larger number of warriors, the White Tiger Lethal Sword Array did not budge, as if rooted to the ground.

"Star Illusion!"

Starting with Eunho, two of them bloomed phantom swords simultaneously.

Dozens... no, hundreds of phantom swords began to surround the entirety of the Thirty Muwol Sword Array.

"Crazy..."

"What in the world..."

"What is this!"

The warriors of the Muwol Sect executing the array did not seem skilled enough to distinguish between the phantom swords and the real ones, looking utterly overwhelmed by the Twin Heaven Sword Art filling the air.

STAB, STAB, STAB, STAB, STAB, STAB.

Simultaneously, the sounds of flesh tearing rang out, followed by agonized screams.

"Urgh."

"Gah."

"Gurgle."

I dashed toward the other Muwol Sect warriors who were blankly staring at the White Tiger Lethal Sword Array.

The Twin Heaven Sword Art came crashing down upon them.

"... Huh?"

"P-Phantom swords?"

Some of the warriors who squeezed their eyes shut at the Twin Heaven Sword Art flying toward their napes bore bewildered expressions when they realized their necks were perfectly fine, but that was not the case for everyone.

"Ugh!"

"Gah!"

"Urgh!"

The Muwol Sect warriors became wandering ghosts under the real swords hidden between the strokes of the Twin Heaven Sword Art.

Five more men fell.

I shot forward like an arrow and scattered the Twin Heaven Sword Art once more.

SWISH-SHING-SHING-SHING.

Dozens of sword blades repeatedly appeared and disappeared, blinding the eyes and snatching away the opponents' lives in the gaps.

The warriors of the Muwol Sect, who had drawn courage from their numerical superiority, were now gradually stepping back little by little.

"You absolute morons..."

TAP.

The man who appeared to be their leader launched himself from the pavilion.

I flicked my left hand and executed the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist.

THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD.

"Hup!"

Attempting to twist his body midair, he ultimately failed to dodge the assault of the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist and crashed right into the pavilion at the same speed he had flown in with.

CRASH!

The already decrepit pavilion sent dust flying and let out a loud cracking sound.

And I began to sweep away the warriors, who were thrown into panic by the disappearance of their leader, one after another.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG.

The swords of the Muwol Sect warriors, having already gauged their opponent's strength, no longer carried any spirit.

All that remained was their defensive stance, trying to survive somehow.

And to me, who had experienced countless battlefields, such a state made them nothing more than tasty prey.

AAAGH!

URGH.

GAAH!

*SQUELCH, SQUIRT. * Blood erupted in all directions, accompanied by sounds akin to air leaking.

The Muwol Sect warriors seemed at a loss for what to do as they watched their comrades die.

After the grounds were cleared out to a certain degree.

A black figure leaped down from the roof and landed next to me.

-Young Master Jin.

Surprised by Seong Moran's appearance, I asked.

-Have you saved them all already?

-No. I couldn't save them.

-Why is that?

-There are too many people held captive. There are over ten children alone.

-...

-It would be better to finish up here as quickly as possible and save them together.

While my mind spun rapidly to change our plan.

POP.

A signal flare shot up from the ruined pavilion, embroidering flames across the dark night sky.

"Urgh."

The leader who had been smashed into the pavilion stepped outside once again, blood streaming down the corner of his mouth.

"... You rat-like bastards. I don't know who you are, but don't even think about making it out of here alive."

We had no more time to stall.

Meeting eyes with Seong Moran, I drew up all my internal energy.

"Young Master Jin..."

"Step back for a moment."

The trembling air instantly began to gather in my grasp.

And a third of the internal energy filling my Dantian vanished into emptiness.

CRAAAAASH!

The Radiant Heaven Divine Palm that subsequently shot out swallowed the pavilion and the leader whole.

AAAGH!

URGH!

GASP!

As the warriors swept up by the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm screamed and collapsed, Seong Moran and I lunged forward at the same time.

I had never coordinated with Seong Moran just the two of us, but perhaps because of our extensive experience taking the standard exam together, our movements perfectly synced without exchanging a single word.

It felt as stable as coordinating with the members of the Minor Orthodox Unit in the past.

"I-Iron Sword Sect! You bastards...! You were from the Iron Sword Sect!"

Just as I was about to launch myself to cut down the bastard who recognized Seong Moran's martial arts.

"Everyone, halt!!"

A Lion's Roar that shook my insides reverberated deafeningly throughout the manor.

"..."

At the entrance of the manor stood Jong Byeokgi, his clothing completely disheveled, glaring in our direction with blazing eyes.