Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Explosion
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Heretics were those who had chosen to corrupt themselves. To obtain such power, how many human lives and sufferings must they have devoured up until now?
That was the reasoning behind the question of whether it was right to spare such a wicked breed, deserving of death, simply because their skills were somewhat useful.
"Hmm, well? The time you'll spend with me won't be as comfortable as death..."
All those So-hyang had taught before were good children, either talented or filled with passion—qualified in every sense.
In contrast, this one had no talent and a heart as vile as could be. Even if So-hyang had scrubbed him clean, his essence wouldn't change easily.
In other words, she planned to roll him so thoroughly that he'd beg for death instead.
"Even so, this is mercy. You get that, right?"
So-hyang locked eyes with the kneeling heretic and spoke softly.
With her true nature, she would have killed him without hesitation, repentance or not.
Killing was far simpler, and she had ample justification. The only reason she decided to spare him was his peculiar ability.
A stroke of luck granted to the unqualified, a chance coincidence—a true serendipitous encounter.
Even if he showed signs of repentance, that didn't guarantee redemption.
There was a vast gulf between merely changing one's mindset and truly starting life anew.
"I... I mean it... sincerely..."
Thus, the kneeling heretic choked up, unable to continue.
Now in his right mind, he fully realized how horrific his past atrocities had been.
Most stemmed from the demonic influence's corrosion, but choosing to embrace it out of base jealousy was his own decision.
There was no room for excuses.
"You'll have to atone for the rest of your life. And keep in mind that won't erase your sins."
"...Of course."
Imprinting martial arts through pain worse than death and guiding him to the righteous path.
Everyone present understood. This was akin to taking a disciple.
Not formally inducting him as blood kin, but similar to how the Three Zhang Masters of old took in that stone monkey...
It was far too precious an opportunity for such a person.
"What's your name?"
"...Sang-hu."
"Elephant's roar, huh? Nice name."
"...Thank you."
"Thanks my ass. How dare you thank me after defiling the faces of the parents who gave you that fine name?"
"...! You're right. I'm sorry."
"Your apologies aren't for me, Sang-hu."
"...Yes."
Guilty, regretful, ashamed of himself.
Yet his sly nature persisted somewhere, the joy of this new chance overwhelming all.
"...Hic."
"Well, well, what do you have to cry about?"
His eyes reddening, vowing firmly to accumulate merits to wash away even a fraction of his shame—
No.
"...Urk."
Where do you think you're going alone?
"...No... won't... let you..."
Daring to seek the light, after sinking into the mire together, leaving the rest resentful.
"No! No! I hate it!!"
"...Sang-hu, what's suddenly—"
Envy, jealousy, hatred for you.
Just as the train fully entered Beijing city limits, and So-hyang was about to admire the night view—
The demonic taint that had been washed from Sang-hu's body began to resurface.
This wasn't the power of a demon begged for through self-corruption.
It was a force bubbling up from the depths of his inner self, revealing its existence.
"...No... this... won't let you... have a future—"
No, you have no future. No salvation.
The endlessly surging demonic qi was far beyond what Sang-hu could endure.
In sheer volume, it rivaled the ultimate arts of a top transcendent expert—a vast, dense storm of demonic qi.
"—M-Master... sorry... run—"
Return to me, old friend.
His visible veins burst open, blood spewing from his seven orifices, his entire body swelling like a balloon.
"Tch, damn it..."
Not some external qi remotely injected, nor a bomb implanted in his body.
Sever the core? It was a reckless, dense mass without one. Neutralize with sword pressure? The bystanders couldn't withstand it.
Of all things, it was in the demonic realm absent from So-hyang's inner world—no way to stop the explosion.
Above all, there was no time.
"Moon Shadow, One Tail, wrap yourselves in protective gang qi and fall back. I'll handle His Highness."
"—Urgh, got it...!"
"Understood!"
Holding Zhu Yeonhwa close, Spirit Sword in hand, unfolding protective gang qi against the shock—
A pitch-black radiance exploded, swallowing the train.
-----
Inside the city, near the Forbidden City, at the train station.
On the roof of a ten-story building about a hundred zhang (300 meters) away.
"...Tch, flew pretty far."
Protected by gang qi, she took no direct damage and shed most of the impact, but the wind pressure hurled her away.
So-hyang checked on Zhu Yeonhwa, slung over her shoulder like a sack of rice.
"Your Highness, you okay?"
"—Cough, ugh."
"Hm, you look fine."
Her head must have been jostled by the sudden shock, leaving her dazed, but her dragon bloodline's sturdy body kept damage minimal.
"Sigh, what a mess..."
The smooth train ride had been ambushed, and just when she caught a promising fellow to keep around, he turned into a human bomb and blew up.
Nothing went right.
"...Well, the night view's killer, at least."
The eternal capital of the millennial empire.
The heart of the Central Plains, the grandest and most prosperous city.
A nightscape of high-rises over ten or twenty stories, lined like a checkerboard, preserving traditional styles.
Truly deserving of the title "City That Never Sleeps," Beijing's spectacle even impressed So-hyang, familiar with modern metropolises.
Thus, perched on the roof enjoying the night breeze in a daze—
"...Hm?"
She locked eyes with four or five soldiers lightness-skill leaping lightly from the opposite rooftop.
Elite Forbidden Army troops defending the capital, clad in uniforms adorned with golden tassels.
"—W-What audacity!"
And clear hostility rose in the soldiers' eyes upon meeting hers.
"...? Suddenly?"
So-hyang voiced her confusion, but their reaction was entirely natural from their perspective.
They had rushed here after spotting the intense demonic qi explosion near the distant train station, visible even a hundred zhang away.
And So-hyang, who had taken the blast head-on, reeked thickly of demonic presence.
Moreover, they had heard the Third Imperial Princess was returning to Beijing via the train's inaugural run today.
And that princess was slung over So-hyang's shoulder like a bundled pork...
Impossible not to misunderstand.
With circumstances aligning and suspicions confirmed—
"Imperial Scion kidnapper! Subdue her!"
"...No, that's not—"
It began with spring-like steps kicking off the roof.
Leap force traveling from legs to waist, waist to shoulders, shoulders to right arm—the spear hurled straight at So-hyang.
"—Everyone? Seems like a misunderstanding—"
So-hyang caught the hurtling spear tip with her fingers, trying to explain—
"—Expert! Scatter!"
But the Forbidden Army reacted faster.
Instant scatter and re-closing, movements of extreme precision in joint attack.
"Oh, not bad...?"
Impressive skill worthy of the empire's capital defenders, So-hyang admired even as she tried resolving the mix-up.
"Your Highness? Situation's tangled. Think you can sit up?"
She patted Zhu Yeonhwa's cheek on her shoulder to rouse her—
"You bastard! How dare you touch her body!"
Instead, the soldiers wrapped their spear tips in the Forbidden Army's signature brilliant yellow spear qi, charging fiercely with glaring eyes.
Gradually, So-hyang's brows furrowed ever so slightly.
"Tch, starting to get annoying..."
She understood the misunderstanding and their overreaction given the Third Imperial Princess involved, but...
Wasn't this too reckless?
What if they grabbed a hostage by charging so blindly?
With the clear skill gap, negotiation was basic against someone they couldn't quickly subdue.
As So-hyang exchanged—no, unilaterally dodged and blocked—the Forbidden Army's moves.
"Uh, umm?"
The princess finally awoke.
"...What?"
Opening her eyes to her bundled state and the encircling soldiers.
And So-hyang's irritated expression.
Grasping the situation roughly, Zhu Yeonhwa raised her voice to intervene.
"Hey! Everyone, stop—"
But a bit late.
"Your Highness, shut up for a sec."
In short.
Before Zhu Yeonhwa's intervention, So-hyang's patience hit bottom first.
Zhu Yeonhwa, her mute acupoint sealed with a light throat press, gaped desperately at So-hyang in shock.
"—!? ...!!?"
The initial spear throw: once.
The follow-up joint attack: twice.
The latest assault: three times total.
She'd endured plenty.
Already in high spirits but fight cut short, body itching.
Prospective disciple blew up suddenly, mood soured.
"You all want to fight me, right? You started it."
Time to vent stress and have some fun.
A playful smile tinged with faint blush, pale eyes curving like crescent moons.
"...What?"
The soldiers gulped dryly at the sight.
No killing intent or pressure, yet a chilling premonition raised goosebumps all over.
"—Then, here I go?"
With the declaration, So-hyang's slender leg whipped like a lash.
"Guhk—"
The most zealous veteran soldier flew spectacularly into the night sky from the clean kick.