Chapter 653
Chapter 653
Chapter 653. Finishing Up (6)
At my words, Lord Provincial Inspector asked in return.
“What is it you have to say?” (Provincial Inspector)
“I will not go to the mountain keep.” (Eun Seho)
“What?” (Provincial Inspector)
At my words, the Provincial Inspector wore a blank expression for a moment. It was probably because he could not understand what I had said.
But he soon came to his senses and asked in an angry voice.
“What does that mean! Did you not clearly say with your own mouth that you would stand at the vanguard! Yet now you are backing out! I did not take you for such a person! It seems I misjudged you!” (Provincial Inspector)
At that, the Crown Prince, who was present, restrained the Provincial Inspector.
“Calm down. The Young Master Eun I know is neither someone who says two different things with one mouth, nor a coward. There must be some reason.” (Crown Prince)
The Crown Prince looked at me and said.
“Tell us why you suddenly say you will not go to the mountain keep.” (Crown Prince)
“Because the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost is not at the mountain keep we are about to subjugate.” (Eun Seho)
“……What?” (Crown Prince)
“The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost is not there?” (Provincial Inspector)
The Crown Prince, the Provincial Inspector, and the others there were all startled.
“That is correct. No matter how much I thought about it, I could not understand the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost’s actions, and while I was pondering it, I heard about the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost from one of my guards.” (Eun Seho)
I continued speaking.
“Combining that information, it did not seem like the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost would remain in the mountain keep even after hearing that warning of subjugation. So last night, I observed near the mountain keep and discovered the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost secretly fleeing.” (Eun Seho)
“Is that true?” (Provincial Inspector)
The Provincial Inspector focused on my words, as if he had forgotten he had shouted at me.
“It is. I followed him and found out where he is hiding. That is why I meant that my guards and I would move separately and subdue the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.” (Eun Seho)
“Hoho…… I see.” (Provincial Inspector)
The Provincial Inspector apologized to me.
“I grew angry at you without looking into the circumstances before and after. I am sorry.” (Provincial Inspector)
Seeing how cleanly he apologized when apologizing, he was a decent person.
In truth, when one held that sort of position, it was not easy to apologize to someone below them.
“It is all right. My prior explanation was far too insufficient.” (Eun Seho)
“No. I was impatient.” (Provincial Inspector)
He continued speaking.
“If you take others along, they may not be properly controlled, so you mean to move separately with only your people.” (Provincial Inspector)
“That is correct.” (Eun Seho)
“Understood. I permit the detached force to move.” (Provincial Inspector)
At that moment, Noona Hyang-ok said.
“In that case, I will take the vanguard in subjugating that mountain keep.” (Hyang-ok)
As expected of Noona Hyang-ok.
She did not miss her chance.
“Do so.” (Provincial Inspector)
Having received permission to act as a detached force like that, I left the temporary military camp with my guards.
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A short while later.
I arrived at the place where the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost was staying.
We surrounded the house and slowly tightened the encirclement. Since the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost’s realm was what it was, he might notice our approach and flee.
After all, the peak realm was by no means low.
By the way, did he eat the pills?
My guess was that he definitely ate at least one.
It was then.
Bang!
The main gate flew off, and the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost revealed himself.
As expected, he noticed our approach.
“What the hell! Damn it! Who are you bastards this time?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“What shall we do?” (Guard)
“Is there any need for a long discussion? Attack.” (Eun Seho)
At my order, the guards rushed toward him.
Clang!
Clang, clang!
He blocked a few attacks, but he was soon driven into a defensive position.
That was only natural, because Warrior Jin-yu and I were super-peak.
“Kugh!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost was pushed far back and let out a groan, then provoked us.
“Is this not a bit too cowardly? I’m alone, while your side has five people.” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“What place is there for cowardice in a matter of life and death?” (Eun Seho)
I answered that way and swung my sword at him.
Slash!
My sword grazed his arm and wounded him.
“Kuk! This will not do. I will show you bastards the might of the new power I recently gained!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
Saying that, he raised his sword upright.
But soon his eyes shook.
“What’s wrong? Is your inner arts not moving properly?” (Eun Seho)
“……!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
The emotion that appeared on his face was shock.
“You bastards! What have you done to me?” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“Who knows?” (Eun Seho)
I feigned ignorance.
If I told him this easily, it would not be a secret.
Even if he was someone we were going to subdue, there was no reason to go out of my way to explain.
“Perhaps you ate something spoiled?” (Eun Seho)
“Damn it!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
He spat out a curse and barely blocked my sword.
At that moment, his pupils turned red.
Just as expected.
Since he could not use the power of the Transformation Realm, he was trying to use his hidden trump card, soul-bewitching arts.
I immediately emitted the energy of the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art.
It would be troublesome if my guards were caught by that soul-bewitching art.
One of the reasons I had brought only my guards was that very soul-bewitching art.
If an ally were caught by the soul-bewitching art and attacked us, there would be nothing more troublesome.
And I shouted to the guards.
“Back away right now!” (Eun Seho)
Despite my order, Warrior Myeong-jong and Warrior Chang-un hesitated without immediately stepping back.
Discovering this, Warrior Seo-woo and Warrior Jin-yu grabbed the two by the napes of their necks and withdrew.
“Hyung-nim!” (Warrior Myeong-jong)
“Why must we withdraw?” (Warrior Chang-un)
At their resistance, Warrior Seo-woo answered firmly.
“Do you intend not to follow the Liege’s order?” (Warrior Seo-woo)
“But we are guards! We cannot withdraw while leaving our Liege behind!” (Warrior Myeong-jong)
“I am of the same mind. But right now, this is a special situation where we may become a hindrance to our Liege, so we must trust our Liege and wait.” (Warrior Seo-woo)
Like that, the guards withdrew and widely surrounded me and the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
I drew up my energy and drove the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost back.
So long as he could not use the power of the Extreme Martial Awakening Pill, the difference in skill between him and me was stark.
Just before I subdued him like that.
Shuuk!
I felt something flying toward me and quickly swung my sword to knock it away.
Clang!
When I looked back, a black-clad man wearing a mask was watching us.
I had not noticed anything at all……?
Then there was only one answer.
He was someone whose realm was higher than mine.
And from him, I could feel the energy of the dark path mixed with a thick scent of blood.
That proved he was absolutely not an ally.
“I-I’m saved!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost said with delight.
“You have come to save me!” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
I frowned and asked.
“Did you come to save the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost?” (Eun Seho)
At my question, he burst into laughter.
“Hahaha.” (Black-Clad Man)
A light laugh. But the energy contained in that laughter pressed down on the space.
Strength entered the hand holding my sword, and blood seeped from my lips.
Except for Warrior Jin-yu, the other guards clearly had difficulty even standing properly.
That man was a true Transformation Realm martial artist.
Not a fake Transformation Realm created with something like the Extreme Martial Awakening Pill, but a real Transformation Realm.
In that tense moment.
A dagger shot out from his hand.
At that, I thrust out my sword to block the dagger. But……
Kaaang!
Instead, my sword was knocked away, and the dagger buried itself straight into the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost’s chest.
Puk!
That was the meaning of his laughter.
“Uh…… why…….” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
The Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost looked at the dagger embedded in his chest with an expression of disbelief, then fell backward.
“You intended to use the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost from the very beginning.” (Eun Seho)
Without answering, he looked at me, then appeared in front of me in the blink of an eye.
I instinctively swung my sword at him.
Kang!
“You have good instincts.” (Black-Clad Man)
“Kuk!” (Eun Seho)
If I had not raised my sword reflexively, I truly would have almost died.
Just blocking his sword was overwhelming, but I could not give up.
If I could not endure, I would die.
“How amusing. You are weaker than I am, yet you block my sword.” (Black-Clad Man)
Tap!
He withdrew backward, put away his sword, and said.
“I have changed my mind. I will not take your life here today.” (Black-Clad Man)
“What do you mean?” (Eun Seho)
“I have a feeling I will meet you again later. When that time comes, you will have grown stronger than now. I will take your life then.” (Black-Clad Man)
“Why?” (Eun Seho)
“Because I dislike boring fights.” (Black-Clad Man)
“Then why did you kill him?” (Eun Seho)
“That was an order.” (Black-Clad Man)
His eyes curved.
Even though he was wearing a mask and only his eyes could be seen, it felt as though I could see his smile, and chills ran through me.
“But it feels a little lacking to simply withdraw. This is a gift.” (Black-Clad Man)
In an instant, a dagger identical to the one from before shot out.
The place that dagger was headed was not me, but where the guards were.
They had to dodge, but because of his aura, the guards were in a state where they could not move properly.
The only one who could move properly was me.
“Daaaaamn it!” (Eun Seho)
I kicked off the ground and launched myself.
Was I late?
It was then.
Thwack!
Something suddenly appeared and blocked that dagger.
A sh-shield?
No, why did a shield suddenly……
I did not know what it was, but thanks to that, the power contained in the dagger weakened, and thanks to that, I was able to knock it away before it was too late.
I swept a hand over my chest and looked back.
“Hoo…….” (Eun Seho)
The masked black-clad man had already disappeared.
He had undoubtedly thrown the dagger at my guards to stop me from chasing him.
“Young Master! Are you all right?” (Palgap)
“Huh? Palgap? Why are you here?” (Eun Seho)
I could not help but be surprised.
I had clearly left him at Qingcheng Sect while asking him to protect Miss Seohyang, so why was he here?
“Vice Captain Gwak sent me. He said that a masked person would throw a dagger while running away, and that dagger would head toward the guards, and you would get hurt while blocking it, Young Master.” (Palgap)
Palgap rubbed his nose and said.
“So I got the sturdiest shield and hid here in advance.” (Palgap)
“I see.” (Eun Seho)
I should thank Miss Seohyang.
By the way…… then that means even that Transformation Realm master failed to notice Palgap’s presence?
A talent called King of Assassins really was remarkable.
“Liege. Are you all right?” (Warrior Seo-woo)
“We were lacking, and…… put you in a difficult position, Liege.” (Warrior Jin-yu)
At their words, I waved my hand and said.
“It is all right. I am the same in that I nearly died because my skill was lacking.” (Eun Seho)
I calmed my trembling legs and approached the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.
It was already too late.
It was a fatal wound, and the bleeding was also quite severe.
It was at a level where even Geumryeong’s needles would not work.
“Hey. Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost.” (Eun Seho)
“Kk, kkugh……” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
“This is the result of trusting someone you should not have trusted. It feels unfair, does it not? I can at least get some revenge for that grudge, so how about providing me with some information?” (Eun Seho)
I continued speaking.
“This time, trapping the subjugation force in the cave. What on earth was the purpose? And what were those ridiculous negotiation terms?” (Eun Seho)
“I, I didn’t do it…… They ordered…….” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
As expected, it was not his will, but an order from them.
“The, the reason, I also do, do, don’t know……” (Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost)
As expected, they had not told him the reason.
He soon breathed his last.
But the moment he died, the energy of the dark path mixed with the thick scent of blood disappeared.
Come to think of it, when that woman named Hwang Min of the Myeongmyeong Trading Company died before, her energy had completely disappeared like this as well.
What she and this man had in common was that they had learned soul-bewitching arts.
Then was there some secret in soul-bewitching arts?
I needed to look into that for now.
“Young Master. What should we do with this dagger?” (Palgap)
“Dagger?” (Eun Seho)
“Yes.” (Palgap)
What Palgap pointed at was the dagger lying on the ground.
It was the dagger I had knocked away earlier.
A single snake was engraved on the blade of that dagger.
“One-Snake Sword!” (Warrior Jin-yu)
Warrior Jin-yu shouted upon seeing it.
“One-Snake Sword? Do you know him?” (Eun Seho)
“Yes.” (Warrior Jin-yu)
Warrior Jin-yu nodded.
“He is one of the people we investigated before. He uses weapons engraved with a single snake, and he is a Transformation Realm master. He is an assassin who takes commissions solely based on interest, and he is an extremely dangerous person.” (Warrior Jin-yu)
“I see.” (Eun Seho)
“To have faced the One-Snake Sword and still be alive! That is heavenly luck.” (Warrior Jin-yu)
“Hoo, it truly is.” (Eun Seho)
I sighed and looked down at my hand.
My palm had been torn, and blood was flowing.
It was proof that I had been so tense I had not even felt this pain.
If I had died like this, I would have been so wronged I would not even have been able to properly close my eyes.
By the way, I thought there had been no gains at all, but I obtained the information that someone called One-Snake Sword was a person on the Asura Blood Cult’s side.
I suppose I should consider this a gain too.
“Then let’s return now.” (Eun Seho)
“Yes.” (Guards)
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.
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A short while later.
When I returned to the temporary military camp and was catching my breath for a moment, the subjugation force returned.
They had tied up the Green Forest Bandits with ropes like strings of dried yellow corvina and brought them back.
They looked as though they had completely lost the will to fight.
As soon as I saw Noona Hyang-ok, I ran over to her happily.
“Noona Hyang-ok!” (Eun Seho)
“Seho! You were safe!” (Hyang-ok)
“Yes.” (Eun Seho)
I glanced over the Green Forest Bandits and said.
“What happened?” (Eun Seho)
“Ah…….” (Hyang-ok)
Noona Hyang-ok explained the situation.
“They suddenly startled as if cold water had been poured over them, gasped for breath, then threw themselves flat on the ground and begged. They begged us to spare them.” (Hyang-ok)
“Ah…… I see.” (Eun Seho)
It seemed the Blood-Eyed Sword Ghost had cast soul-bewitching arts on them before leaving, and when he died, it broke.
“What happened with you? Your expression does not look very good. Did you perhaps lose him?” (Hyang-ok)
“No.” (Eun Seho)
I shook my head.
“I cut off his head and brought it back.” (Eun Seho)
“That is a relief. I was worried because your expression looked bad.” (Hyang-ok)
“I am tired because I overexerted myself a little today.” (Eun Seho)
“That would be understandable.” (Hyang-ok)
“Where is Lord Provincial Inspector?” (Eun Seho)
“He is over there.” (Hyang-ok)
I approached the Provincial Inspector and reported the situation.
He commended me with a satisfied face.
Thus, the large-scale Green Forest Bandit subjugation came to an end.
The restoration from the earthquake was nearly finished as well, so it was now about time to return to Beijing.
After handling matters there, I would have to go to Nanjing again for the merchant trip.
I recalled the man called One-Snake Sword whom I had met today. Others might have their pride hurt over having been spared by him, but I did not.
Rather, my fighting spirit burned.
You had better prepare yourself. (Eun Seho)
Because the next time we meet, I will win by any means necessary. (Eun Seho)