Chapter 170
Chapter 170
＃1
7
0. <A Sea of Blood Spreading Through Sichuan (6)>
Seungho Hall and Jin So-woon’s party eventually arrived in Chengdu.
The members of Seungho Hall, the Twelve Peak Stars, and the others immediately went to rest so they could reorganize.
But not everyone could rest.
Nam Hwa-seong, who was not included in that “everyone,” shouted in anger.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Nam Hwa-seong’s face twisted deeply.
He had thought they would at least be able to rest a little once they arrived in Chengdu, but when Jin So-woon said something absurd about leaving immediately, anger welled up in Nam Hwa-seong.
“Seungho Hall, of course, and the others too, are resting for at least half a day before leaving. So why are only we going first!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Jin So-woon answered as if it were nothing.
“We have to move with the foremost group as our target. Where exactly do you think we have time to rest?” (Jin So-woon)
Nam Hwa-seong’s lips trembled, but Jin So-woon merely shrugged.
“Do you perhaps dislike it? If you dislike it, go back.” (Jin So-woon)
That damned bastard had “go back, go back” on his lips at the slightest chance.
He must be saying it knowing full well that Nam Hwa-seong could not go back alone when all the other Twelve Peak Stars were staying here.
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
If we move like this and collapse.” (Nam Hwa-seong)
At Nam Hwa-seong’s grave voice, Jin So-woon lifted his chin.
“Is Nam Hwa-seong of Sanyuan Gate only capable of that much?” (Jin So-woon)
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
Grit.” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“Are you going or not?” (Jin So-woon)
If he followed his feelings, he wanted to throw everything away immediately and go back to the academy. But he could not do that.
Last night, after Cheol Sunjik learned that he would be moving together with Jin So-woon, he had secretly sent a telepathic message.
-Remember every single action of his. This incident will make him wear shackles. (Cheol Sunjik)
Nam Hwa-seong did not know what Cheol Sunjik was scheming, but it would certainly be something beneficial to the Twelve Peak Stars.
That was why he had no choice but to follow.
“Lead the way!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Watching Jin So-woon turn his horse’s head with a faint smile, Nam Hwa-seong ground his teeth. ‘You must already be more than exhausted too.’ (Nam Hwa-seong) He would hold out to the end and make sure to crush Jin So-woon’s pride.
He did not know about inner arts, but when it came to stamina, he had never lost to anyone anywhere.
Cheol Sunjik had told him to watch, but more important than that was first crushing that bastard’s pride once.#Even after they left Chengdu and entered the main road toward Padang, Jin So-woon had been running for several si-jin without showing the slightest sign of fatigue.
Feeling as if his backside was beyond sore and on the verge of being rubbed raw, Nam Hwa-seong finally could not bear it and opened his mouth again.
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
Hey, are we not going to rest?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“Are you already tired?” (Jin So-woon)
Did he have to say it like that……!
At Jin So-woon’s words, which scraped at his nerves, Nam Hwa-seong’s brow furrowed deeply.
“If we keep going like this, we are definitely going to tire out soon!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“I will not get tired.” (Jin So-woon)
“Then at least lower the speed a little. There are Green Forest keeps around here!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
The road from Chengdu to Padang was connected to the largest road leading to Tibet.
Since it was a road frequently traveled by merchants of the Central Plains and the Western Regions, it was only natural that not ordinary mountain keeps but Green Forest keeps were located there.
However, there was not the slightest trace of worry on So-woon’s face.
“Do not worry. There is a way to avoid them.” (Jin So-woon)
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
Are you truly in your right mind? You are saying we will just pass by three Green Forest keeps planted squarely across the official road?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Nam Hwa-seong doubted his own ears.
Those most sensitive to tolls were the Green Forest keeps.
They were more sensitive about the money they failed to receive than the money they did receive.
“Nam Hwa-seong, what did I say before we departed?” (Jin So-woon)
That damned absolute obedience again….
This was not even wartime, so what reason was there to obey absolutely just because they were going together?
“If you have complaints, I do not care if you curse. I never cared in the first place. But if you will not listen to orders, go back even now.” (Jin So-woon)
“…….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“Cheol Sunjik told you to watch me, did he not?” (Jin So-woon)
At the unexpected words, Nam Hwa-seong flinched in surprise.
“Watch well, and report what you saw properly. I do not care. But if you keep interfering with the work, I will break both your legs so you can no longer follow.” (Jin So-woon)
Even though he was riding violently, Jin So-woon’s voice was utterly calm.
Listening to that calm voice, Nam Hwa-seong felt a cold chill run over him. ‘W-what is this?’ (Nam Hwa-seong) He had clearly not raised any killing intent, yet Nam Hwa-seong felt a chilling sensation as if someone had placed a blade under his throat.
Nam Hwa-seong unconsciously felt his head lowering.
Above it, a firm voice rang out.
“What will you do? Will you follow, or will you go back?” (Jin So-woon)
Going back in anger would hurt his pride, and following with his tail tucked would hurt his pride too.
Damned bastard.
Nam Hwa-seong felt as if he had been grinding his teeth often ever since meeting this bastard.
But under the pressure he was giving off, there was no other way.
“I will follow.” (Nam Hwa-seong)
At Nam Hwa-seong’s heavy answer, Jin So-woon smiled and nodded.
“Good. They say Sanyuan Gate’s Nokgak Pungun-jong is that impressive, do they not?” (Jin So-woon)
Of course, Sanyuan Gate’s Nokgak Pungun-jong was counted among the finest movement arts in the martial world.
But why was he suddenly bringing that up?
Nam Hwa-seong was seized by an inexplicable unease.
“From now on, we abandon the horses.” (Jin So-woon)
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
You are saying we will cut across?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
The unease soon became reality.
“Yes.” (Jin So-woon)
Nam Hwa-seong was aghast.
“Did you not just say we were going to avoid the Green Forest keeps!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Green Forest keeps reacted more sensitively to those approaching from the mountains than those coming by the official road.
Those coming by the official road were mostly likely to be customers, while those coming by the mountains were likely to be enemies of the Green Forest keep.
“We will avoid them.” (Jin So-woon)
Jin So-woon looked at Nam Hwa-seong and smiled broadly.
“Though it will be a little rough.” (Jin So-woon)
“…….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
A little?
Nam Hwa-seong felt his knees weaken for no reason.#Piiiiik----The sharp sound of a whistle echoed through the mountains and streams.
One Green Forest keep located on a ridge stirred, as if it had received the signal and was already ready to move out.
“We have been discovered.” (Jin So-woon)
At Jin So-woon’s calm words, Nam Hwa-seong inwardly cursed. ‘Then how would we not be discovered?’ (Nam Hwa-seong)
In broad daylight, when bandits were keeping watch from watchtowers built all over the mountain, two martial artists who were not even wearing stealth clothes had shown themselves climbing the mountain.
At this level, even an ordinary herb gatherer would notice them.
“Let us speed up.” (Jin So-woon)
“…… (Nam Hwa-seong)
What?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Had they not been running at full speed until now?
Whether the flustered Nam Hwa-seong answered or not, Jin So-woon began moving ahead.
But the direction was a little strange.
“Hey, hey, hey! Where are you going!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Forgetting even the fact that they had to avoid the Green Forest’s eyes, Nam Hwa-seong shouted at Jin So-woon.
Jin So-woon was running straight toward a watchtower in the mountain.
“That, that crazy bastard….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Jin So-woon, who had climbed the steep mountain path as if descending a slope, immediately thrust his fist toward the watchtower.
With his single punch, more than ten fist shapes were left around him and struck the watchtower legs hard.
Crack!
Aaaaagh!
“An intruder!” (Bandit)
“It is an attack!” (Bandit)
As the watchtower collapsed, pale dust rose in every direction.
“C-crazy!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Seeing that dust, the bandits standing guard everywhere began gathering toward the watchtower.
When Nam Hwa-seong belatedly approached the vicinity of the watchtower, Jin So-woon was running toward him from that direction.
“We descend like this.” (Jin So-woon)
“What?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“We drew their attention, so now we must break through the encirclement.” (Jin So-woon)
“What does that even…….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“Did you not learn about the ‘Flash East, Flash West’ operation?” (Jin So-woon)
Does simply adding the word operation to “flashing east and flashing west” make it an operation!
However, Nam Hwa-seong could not raise an objection to Jin So-woon’s nonsense.
Because once the watchtower was destroyed, the Green Forest bandits began charging in with fire in their eyes.
Nam Hwa-seong desperately used Nokgak Pungun-jong and barely managed to keep pace with him.
“Shit, I knew it from the moment you gave it such a ridiculous name!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“What is your complaint?” (Jin So-woon)
“Why are we carrying out an operation that will fail like this!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
The number of bandits charging up before their eyes, holding great blades and large axes, was too many to count.
“What are you talking about? If we break through, it is not a failure.” (Jin So-woon)
You crazy bastard, you said we were avoiding them!
Clang.
Jin So-woon drew his sword and immediately charged toward ten bandits.
The bandits’ momentum was not weak either.
“Kill them!” (Bandit)
“How dare these bastards come here!” (Bandit)
“Surround them!” (Bandit)
Before the bandits who blocked every direction and charged in, Jin So-woon cut them down at a speed at least twice as fast as theirs.
“Keuk.” (Bandit)
“Kkeok.” (Bandit)
“He’s fast…….” (Bandit)
In the blink of an eye, Jin So-woon was running again, and only belatedly did the bandits collapse in the place he had passed through, an unrealistic sight. ‘What the hell is that?’ (Nam Hwa-seong)
Just his victory in the duel against Ilgak had caused a great uproar within the martial academy.
But the movement he showed now was on a different level from back then.
It was hard to believe there had been enough progress in just two months for him to feel like a different person.
“Nam Hwa-seong, are you not going to focus!” (Jin So-woon)
At Jin So-woon’s shout, he looked ahead and saw four bandits bringing down great blades at the same time.
Nam Hwa-seong wildly swung his fists, which were equipped with gauntlets.
Papapapapang!
As waves of force burst out in every direction, the bandits flew around like pebbles.
Then Jin So-woon’s dissatisfied voice burst out.
“You are an idiot. If you make such noise for no reason, the Flash East, Flash West operation becomes meaningless, does it not?” (Jin So-woon)
“No, from the start, your beginning was completely wrong…….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Without even properly listening to Nam Hwa-seong’s words, Jin So-woon set off first and said.
“Let us go. Because of you, the operation has failed…….” (Jin So-woon)
His cold gaze flew in and fixed on him.
“You had better run properly.” (Jin So-woon)
You madman, it did not fail because of me!
Jin So-woon threw something toward the bandits running down from the watchtower side, then began running. ‘A flower bud?’ (Nam Hwa-seong)
The brass-colored flower bud falling among the bandits began blooming with a click.
Whirrrr
-A flower made of metal bloomed and spun wildly in place.
Nam Hwa-seong, who had been staring blankly because the sight was rather fascinating, suddenly froze.
“Kraaaagh!” (Bandit)
“Keuk!” (Bandit)
“Kkeuaaaaagh!” (Bandit)
Dozens of bandits running down the ridge had simultaneously grabbed their faces and throats and begun collapsing to the ground.
“Nam Hwa-seong, are you not going!” (Jin So-woon)
It was clearly related to the flower bud Jin So-woon had thrown.
But he could not even begin to guess what it was.
-A metal flower bloomed, and dozens of Green Forest bandits collapsed at the same time.
If he actually made such a report to Cheol Sunjik, what kind of expression would he make?
Would he even believe him in the first place?
“I would not believe it either.” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Nam Hwa-seong somehow had the thought that he would not be able to report it.
“Nam Hwa-seong!” (Jin So-woon)
“I’m coming, I’m coming, you bastard! They will discover us all because of your voice!” (Nam Hwa-seong)
Nam Hwa-seong moved his feet at full strength again and barely caught up to Jin So-woon.
“If we are going to do this anyway, can we not just go by the official road?” (Nam Hwa-seong)
He was already in a state twice as exhausted from climbing all the way up to the mountaintop and coming down again.
“Do not worry. This time, we will definitely avoid them.” (Jin So-woon)
“…….” (Nam Hwa-seong)
“Why are you making that expression? Do you not trust me?” (Jin So-woon)
Would I trust you?
Nam Hwa-seong could not understand why Jin So-woon was so confident.
But without realizing it, he was following behind him.#‘Hm…… was I not someone meant to belong to the White Path Society?’ (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Moyong Jae-hwa, who had been carrying a tray filled with food, stopped and tilted his head.
He was certainly a direct descendant of one of the Five Great Families, and though he lacked the qualifications, he was the heir who would lead the next Moyong Clan.
He did have a somewhat strange personality, but he was the one and only grandson of Pungbaek Pageom, one of the absolute masters of the martial world.
To put it bluntly, if he had not been following Brother Jin So-woon, he would already have entered the White Path Society long ago and taken up an officer position there. ‘Hm…… but what is this?’ (Moyong Jae-hwa)
He could not quite grasp why someone like him was doing menial chores at an event led not even by the White Path Society but by the Righteous Way Society.
Scratch, scratch.
“Hey! What are you doing! The Elder says he is hungry!” (Diancang disciple)
At the voice calling him, Moyong Jae-hwa answered, “Yes, yes!” and trotted over to deliver the food.
He delivered the food with a smile while suppressing the questions rising within him, but the Diancang disciple who received the food deeply frowned.
“What is this! The food is all cold!” (Diancang disciple)
“This is a high mountain area, and it is a forest. It cools quickly.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Moyong Jae-hwa tried to soothe him nicely, but the Diancang disciple threw the food down and shouted angrily.
“You bastard, can you not even do what you are told properly! Were you planning to present this kind of food to the Elder?” (Diancang disciple)
Moyong Jae-hwa stared blankly at the food rolling on the ground.
The Diancang disciple threatened him.
Strange. Something was strange.
“But why am I doing this kind of errand?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Moyong Jae-hwa tilted his head and asked.
“What?” (Diancang disciple)
“I am the eldest son of the Moyong Clan, a direct descendant, and Pageom’s grandson. Why am I doing this?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“…… (Diancang disciple)
You said you would do it!” (Diancang disciple)
“I did?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“Yes! Did you not say you would do it instead of Eun Seol-ran!” (Diancang disciple)
Only then did Moyong Jae-hwa come to his senses and flick his own forehead several times.
“Ah! Aah! Ah! Right! Right! Yes. I did.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
The moment he had returned from scouting and tried to sleep, he had seen Eun Seol-ran attending to them and lost his mind, then snatched the plates away.
“Bring it again! If you fail to do it properly this time too…….” (Diancang disciple)
“Hey.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
The atmosphere instantly sank. The Diancang disciple frowned, wondering if he had heard wrong.
“Did you just say ‘hey’?” (Diancang disciple)
“Are you someone important?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“…… (Diancang disciple)
What?” (Diancang disciple)
“I asked if you are someone important. Are you set to inherit Diancang?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“…….” (Diancang disciple)
Compared to Jin So-woon, these were bastards who had entered without even taking a proper test.
He already disliked how they looked down on Jin So-woon.
And now they were acting arrogantly under another’s power without knowing their place.
Moyong Jae-hwa clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling his fingertips itch for no reason.
“You are not, are you? I do not want it, but I might inherit my clan. Are you going to live only at the academy and then retire from the martial world? Can you stand proudly in front of the Moyong Clan?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“…….” (Diancang disciple)
“No, right? Then stop getting ahead of yourself.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“…….” (Diancang disciple)
The Diancang disciple moved his lips, then went directly to the place where the cooking staff were.
Moyong Jae-hwa’s chilling gaze followed his back. ‘Sleep…… I lack sleep…….’ (Moyong Jae-hwa)
He could no longer remember how many days it had been since he had slept properly.
Even while asleep, it felt as though he were awake, and even while awake, it felt as though he were sleeping. ‘Damn it, if I knew this would happen, I should have just followed them to Yueyang…….’ (Moyong Jae-hwa)
If he had, then at the very least he would not have had to suffer like this all the way out here.
“I am sorry, Young Master Moyong. I could have just done it myself.” (Eun Seol-ran)
When he returned to his place, Eun Seol-ran had a guilty expression.
The ones who had done wrong were those bastards, so why was Eun Seol-ran feeling guilty?
“No. They should be the ones bringing food to the elders of their own sect. But Miss Eun, are you not cold?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
As they entered the high mountain area, the others could not endure the cold and had wrapped themselves in blankets and two or three layers of outer clothing.
“I am fine. My hometown is originally cold, and the martial art I practice has strong yin energy.” (Eun Seol-ran)
“Ah, you said you came from the North Sea.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Now, even memories he had known were not coming to mind properly.
“But are you all right?” (Eun Seol-ran)
“Yes? What?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Eun Seol-ran looked worriedly at Moyong Jae-hwa, whose blood vessels had burst and whose eyes were bloodshot red.
“You look extremely tired…….” (Eun Seol-ran)
“Me? Not at all.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Though he said that, Moyong Jae-hwa’s appearance was in no state to speak of.
He had been spending sleepless nights continuing his scouting work, so he had not eaten properly, let alone slept.
“Young Master Jae-hwa. Do you not think you do not have to work that hard? The others were only pretending to scout.” (Eun Seol-ran)
“…… (Moyong Jae-hwa)
But still, you never know…… (Moyong Jae-hwa)
you see.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
As he spoke, Moyong Jae-hwa nodded off.
But soon he opened his eyes wide and woke up.
“…… (Eun Seol-ran)
Young Master Jae-hwa.” (Eun Seol-ran)
“…… (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Haha.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Moyong Jae-hwa scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then spoke carefully.
“May I sleep just a little?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“Yes. Please do.” (Eun Seol-ran)
Eun Seol-ran quickly covered Moyong Jae-hwa with the blanket she had received for herself and put in more firewood.
“Thank…… (Moyong Jae-hwa)
you…….” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
No sooner had the words fallen than Moyong Jae-hwa fell asleep.
“…… (Eun Seol-ran)
He really was tired.” (Eun Seol-ran)
Eun Seol-ran looked at Moyong Jae-hwa with pity.
Although they had been forcibly dragged to the Righteous Way Society’s event, there was nothing especially event-like about it.
The advance party formed around Diancang and Shaolin.
Their attention was focused only on how well the sects beneath them entertained them.
They said they had come to investigate the incident from the civil service examination, but they had not actually gone anywhere near the area. ‘What kind of disgrace is this?’ (Eun Seol-ran)
Her mind was filled only with the thought that she wanted to return quickly and complete the Ice Soul Divine Art.
After gaining enlightenment inside the Soul-Destroying Formation, she had found a new path for the Ice Soul Divine Art, but she was still far from producing the power described in legends. ‘I should consult Brother Jin once.’ (Eun Seol-ran)
Thinking that, she stared blankly at the campfire.
“Is it… cold?” (Eun Seol-ran)
The temperature in the mountains was falling quickly.
Perhaps because of that, even the academy students, who had not stopped chattering as if they had come on a trip, had all wrapped themselves tightly in blankets and fallen asleep in front of the campfire.
Amid the freezing cold, piercing through the silence.
Srrk.
A red centipede passed beside the campfire.
Though she saw the disgusting centipede, Eun Seol-ran stared blankly at it and then became puzzled. ‘Do centipedes not live in damp and hot places?’ (Eun Seol-ran)
The snow had not even fully melted in this area yet, and not a single fallen leaf was rolling across the hard ground.
“Huh?” (Eun Seol-ran)
The centipede that had crawled out of the hard ground slowly began heading toward an academy student.
Srrk, srrk, srrk, srrk.
Another one.
Then another.
Dozens of red centipedes appeared from somewhere and began approaching the people.
Eun Seol-ran was startled and tried to rise to catch the centipedes, but her body would not move an inch. ‘Huh?’ (Eun Seol-ran)
When Eun Seol-ran lowered her gaze, she saw centipedes covering her entire body before she knew it.
A
* ah
* aah
-She opened her mouth and tried to scream, but no sound came out. Instead, the red centipedes began forcing their way wildly into her mouth, nose, and ears.
Just as her body trembled from the horrific sensation.-……
ran, ……
Miss, ……
are you.
From somewhere came an urgent but warm voice.
Just when she wanted to answer but could not, and felt as if tears would burst out.
“Miss Seol-ran!” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
Eun Seol-ran woke from the dream and snapped back to her senses.
Before her eyes, Moyong Jae-hwa was looking at her with a worried gaze, though she did not know when he had woken.
Remembering the red centipedes that had covered her body, Eun Seol-ran sprang up from her spot and shook out her entire body.
“Kyaaak!” (Eun Seol-ran)
“Are you all right?” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“Huff! Huff! Hah! Hah!” (Eun Seol-ran)
There had definitely been countless red centipedes, enough to cover her entire body. ‘Th-they are gone?’ (Eun Seol-ran)
The centipedes had vanished without a trace.
Jiiing──────At the sharp sound like a needle stabbing the inside of her head, Eun Seol-ran quickly covered her ears, but the unpleasant sound continued stabbing inside her head as if it had no care for that.
“Recite the Demon-Subduing Mantra, Miss Seol-ran!” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
At Moyong Jae-hwa’s voice, Eun Seol-ran quickly began muttering the Demon-Subduing Mantra.
Then, wondrously, the pain stabbing inside her head faded.
But once again, a strange sound began ringing by her ears.
Jingle. Jingle.
“Wh-what is this?” (Eun Seol-ran)
“An…… (Moyong Jae-hwa)
enemy, I think.” (Moyong Jae-hwa)
“An enemy?” (Eun Seol-ran)
Jingle. Jingle.
The ominous sound of bells was ringing out in every direction.