Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: The Survivors' Pact
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“Grrk...!”
His torso throbbed and ached deep inside. His mouth was filled with the fishy taste of blood and the bitter tang of humiliation. Sanggwan Hu steadied his dazed mind and lifted his head.
He could see Tae Heemyung’s back. The sword had not fully emerged from its black scabbard at his waist—it was only slightly bared—but the exposed blade radiated a chilling edge.
At the sight, Sanggwan Hu ground his teeth.
Sword Dragon Tae Heemyung. His sudden appearance had changed everything. Those unfinished words—“hand”—had been an unmistakable warning. Had Hwangbo Seongu ignored it and kept gripping Sanggwan Hu’s ankle, Tae Heemyung’s blade would have severed Hwangbo Seongu’s wrist.
‘With the edge alone...’
Yang Jeon swallowed hard. Tae Heemyung hadn’t even swung the sword. Yet in the instant he appeared, Yang Jeon had sensed his own body being carved apart. That was why he’d retreated. He’d had no choice.
It was beyond imagining.
He had considered that pushing Sanggwan Hu too far might draw in Tae Heemyung and Cheong Wubin, who had split off earlier to act separately. But he hadn’t dreamed that the two of them, arriving late, could turn the tide.
It was because of Tae Heemyung. The Sword Dragon was far stronger than expected. Yang Jeon, who knew next to nothing about him, was stunned, and even Hwangbo Seongu, who had come from the Heavenly Origin Academy alongside him, was shocked—not just at Tae Heemyung’s strength, but at how much stronger he had become.
‘Merely two months.’
And the one who had guided Tae Heemyung during those two months was the Supreme Ultimate Sword Lord.
“Will you continue?”
Tae Heemyung gazed at Yang Jeon, who had clamped his mouth shut, and asked. Yang Jeon didn’t reply rashly, but he soon realized something. They couldn’t afford to focus solely on Tae Heemyung’s arrival. Woo Heera’s sound technique had ceased at some point.
Woo Heera stood frozen, flute pressed to her lips. Around her floated silver-blue spheres of qi, bearing down with pressure. White Orchid Cheong Wubin. She had come with Tae Heemyung.
‘Sanggwan Hu can’t fight anymore.’
He was certain of it. Sanggwan Hu’s unyielding protective qi had shielded his bones and muscles, but the barrage of attacks had inflicted severe internal injuries that left him unable to battle right away.
‘Can she... handle it?’
Cheong Wubin was pressuring Woo Heera. But could she do more than that? A saintess of the Black Forest wouldn’t stop at mere pressure in such a situation.
She would show no mercy, detonating her qi to kill or maim.
But students of the prestigious righteous factions and the Heavenly Origin Academy wouldn’t resort to such brutal, reckless tactics. They’d stop at knocking her out, at most. If he joined forces with Hwangbo Seongu in the meantime, they might even take down Tae Heemyung.
[Fall back.]
The one who coolly assessed the situation was Hwangbo Seongu. He met Tae Heemyung’s eyes and took several steps backward.
[Others are already gathering around. We might catch the Sword Dragon senior if we push, but it won’t be easy. Worst case, we lose a limb.]
[...That serious?]
[No need to force it.]
“We can’t be merciful enough to release meat we’ve all but caught, Senior.”
Hwangbo Seongu chuckled with a grumble.
“I know your sword has grown sharper than before, but I haven’t been idle either.”
“Fair enough. But Junior, the fight’s already decided. No need to see it to the bloody end.”
“You’re wrong there. The Black Dragon’s still alive and conscious. And he has the twin stones. So it’s not decided yet. Letting him go like this doesn’t balance the scales.”
“...I see.”
Tae Heemyung let out a long sigh and nodded.
Chae-aeng!
With a clear metallic ring, Tae Heemyung drew his sword. That alone made Yang Jeon and Hwangbo Seongu feel as if the ground beneath their feet was shrinking.
“I don’t like him much. But... I can’t just stand by and watch a man die before my eyes. Especially not someone I’m not a total stranger to.”
“He’s just unorthodox riffraff.”
“Demons can’t repent, but heretics can.”
“Senior, you’re too good for your own good.”
Hwangbo Seongu clicked his tongue and shook his head. Persuading Tae Heemyung was impossible. Yet retreating tamely didn’t balance the scales either. Somehow...
“...Kuhaha!”
The one who suddenly burst into laughter was Sanggwan Hu. He forced strength into his trembling legs and stood. Tae Heemyung glanced back at him but didn’t extend a hand to help.
“...Humiliating...!”
Sanggwan Hu wiped the laugh from his face and twisted his features. He glared at Tae Heemyung, who was watching him steadily.
“Your actions are an insult to me.”
“I’m just doing as I please. No intent to insult you.”
Sanggwan Hu let out a hollow chuckle at Tae Heemyung’s response, but there was no mirth in his lips or eyes.
“No matter what I say, you’ll protect my life?”
“I didn’t say that. I just can’t leave someone—not a total stranger—to die.”
“Haha!”
Sanggwan Hu barked a loud laugh. There it was, ultimately. When Sanggwan Hu had blatantly bared his killing intent and played the bait, it hadn’t been in hope of aid from Tae Heemyung or Cheong Wubin.
It stemmed from his arrogant confidence that he could defeat anyone, no matter who. Yet the result was this.
What humiliation. If his opponents had been Brainclap Jegal Ihyeon or Snow Flower Haji Eun... he wouldn’t have felt this level of shame. Suffering such disgrace at the hands of Throwing Ghost Yang Jeon—the one he’d dismissed all along—made it all the worse.
“You don’t need to protect me.”
Sanggwan Hu spat the words as he reached into his bosom. He pulled out four pairs of twin stones and hurled them at Hwangbo Seongu. He threw them to Hwangbo Seongu, not Yang Jeon, purely out of pride.
“You said it doesn’t balance. Does it now?”
“...Greed destroys the body.”
Hwangbo Seongu smirked at Sanggwan Hu’s parting barb, clinging to his pride until the end. With Sanggwan Hu’s twin stones in hand, there was no need to risk battling Tae Heemyung.
‘Sanggwan Hu can’t fight anymore. Staying in the forest... he’d have to rely on Sword Dragon Senior’s protection. That prideful bastard wouldn’t stomach the shame.’
“Don’t follow me.”
Sanggwan Hu spat at Tae Heemyung with a glare, then whipped around. Carrying his humiliation and rage, he dragged his feet as he walked away. Tae Heemyung watched his retreating back for a moment.
[Shouldn’t you protect him?]
[...No need, I think.]
Tae Heemyung fell silent for a beat before replying. He had intervened to prevent Sanggwan Hu’s death. The current Sanggwan Hu was too weakened to resist properly.
Yet Tae Heemyung didn’t follow—not because of that, but due to the sound transmission he’d received.
“Now I can step out.”
Sanggwan Hu, dragging his feet, was no longer in sight. Jegal Ihyeon emerged then, his voice languid as if he’d been on a casual stroll. Standing behind the leisurely Jegal Ihyeon were Paeng Yeonhwa, Dang Seona, and Namgoong Jiu.
“The hot-tempered and greedy ones have all left. Conveniently, those remaining are the relatively rational sorts—ones I can reason with. Don’t you think?”
Yang Jeon and Hwangbo Seongu weren’t surprised by Jegal Ihyeon’s appearance. Jegal Ihyeon had sent them a sound transmission the moment Sanggwan Hu departed. That was why Tae Heemyung hadn’t followed him either.
With Yang Jeon pinned here, the only one who’d have “needed” to chase and finish Sanggwan Hu was Jegal Ihyeon. Yet Jegal Ihyeon had let him go and come here instead.
“Well, I’ve come to talk. So for this moment, let’s all put away our weapons and hostility.”
Jegal Ihyeon spread his arms wide as he spoke. As if to prove his words, he radiated no trace of malice.
Tae Heemyung was the first to sheathe his sword. Cheong Wubin dispersed the qi spheres that had still been pressuring Woo Heera.
Only then did Woo Heera exhale deeply and slump to the ground. Once he confirmed that, Hwangbo Seongu undid his hand signs and reverted to human form.
“No need to watch any longer, right? Come on out, everyone. The threatening, greedy sorts are gone. Now let’s act like civilized people and unite for mutual gain.”
Jegal Ihyeon swept his gaze around as he spoke—addressed to those still lurking unseen, observing the situation.
“What do you want?”
Haji Eun and Woo Hayeon descended from a tree on the far side. Haji Eun narrowed her eyes slightly as she stared at Jegal Ihyeon. He smiled faintly and cupped his fists in salute.
“No need for us to keep fighting among ourselves.”
“Not true. If we want to, we can fight.”
Yeongjin and Dang Heeran emerged from the opposite side. Despite two days in the forest, not a speck of dirt marred Yeongjin’s uniform. Standing behind him in black robes, Dang Heeran was visible to the eye yet felt strangely faint in presence, like a ghost.
“We could fight if we let greed lead. But is there any need?”
Jegal Ihyeon replied with a smile. Dang Seona, spotting Dang Heeran, unleashed a sharp burst of qi—but Dang Heeran showed no reaction.
When Jegal Ihyeon glanced at Dang Seona, she snorted and crossed her arms. The qi she’d raised subsided. Dang Seona wasn’t foolish enough to start trouble in this sudden gathering.
“...”
The Crimson Turban Ghost appeared as well. He was still wrapped head to toe in red cloth, reeking of long-rotted blood.
“Indeed, I see what you’re after.”
The last to emerge was Wi Seongcheon. He strolled out with a beaming, whirling smile and waved in friendly fashion.
“No need to fight if our goals align.”
“Grateful you understand.”
Jegal Ihyeon smiled back at Wi Seongcheon.
“As the Dormant Dragon says. We no longer need to fight. The greedy Wild Orchid, barbaric Mad Dog, and ferocious Black Dragon have already abandoned the auction and left the forest, haven’t they?”
Tae Heemyung, Cheong Wubin, Jegal Ihyeon, Namgoong Jiu, Paeng Yeonhwa, Dang Seona, Yang Jeon, Woo Heera, Hwangbo Seongu, Dang Heeran, Yeongjin, Haji Eun, Woo Hayeon, Wi Seongcheon, Crimson Turban Ghost.
The fifteen now gathered in this clearing were every last participant in tomorrow’s auction.
‘I’d hoped the Crimson Turban Ghost would die or leave the forest.’
Jegal Ihyeon himself knew nothing about the Crimson Turban Ghost. A few days prior, he had advanced to Six Saints rank alongside Black Eagle.
In that process, he had single-handedly annihilated the Mujung Black Flag gang. His origins were unknown, as were his name and martial arts. His temperament was a mystery. Unpredictable.
Yet he hadn’t bothered eliminating the Crimson Turban Ghost. No desire for needless risk.
In this situation, there was little one man could do alone. And as taciturn as he was, he wasn’t dull—the Crimson Turban Ghost had emerged quietly and was listening with open ears.
“Night will pass, and noon will bring the auction. In the scant time left, how much can we gain from fighting one another? Better to pursue profits amicably than devour each other unto mutual ruin, no?”
Strength entered Jegal Ihyeon’s voice. Fortunately, no one in the clearing interrupted him.
“Tomorrow’s auction has a set starting price, perhaps—but if we don’t needlessly check one another, we can claim our desired treasures at the minimum bid.”
Reasonable words. Had Sanggwan Hu or Gu Jeoksa remained, Jegal Ihyeon wouldn’t have made this proposal. The other saints might compromise, but Sanggwan Hu never would, and Gu Jeoksa was the backstabbing sort.
‘Good call targeting the Jade Qilin.’
No one else vied for the Supreme Blood Leopard. Wi Seongcheon currently held nine pairs of twin stones—enough to secure both the Supreme Blood Leopard and the Millennial Snow Ginseng. But as Jegal Ihyeon said, if there were no minimums and they could take their treasures at the lowest bids...
Wi Seongcheon could claim seven more treasures besides. Assuming no competition from others.
“Chance of betrayal?”
“Barring an utterly warped mind, what reason to betray? Nothing to gain.”
“Frankly, we’re not so chummy we’ll tamely watch each other take our prizes.”
Yang Jeon lifted his brows as he spoke. Jegal Ihyeon burst into laughter.
“Not so hostile we’d poison each other’s rice either, though? We share one common foe: the Black Heaven Prodigy. For my part, I harbor no grudge against you, Yang Jeon. Do you against me?”
“...No grudge.”
Yang Jeon muttered softly. Indeed. Wi Seongcheon now understood why Jegal Ihyeon had orchestrated this abrupt gathering.
Those left in the forest had no overlapping desired treasures. Nor personal vendettas.
Yang Jeon had bad blood with Gu Jeoksa and Sanggwan Hu. But they weren’t here. Haji Eun despised the Jade Qilin—and overlapped with Wi Seongcheon on treasures.
That Jade Qilin had fled the forest on day one, along with his eight students, who had lost their twin stones and run.
The only lingering enmity or overlap was... Dang Seona and Dang Heeran. A variable too small to overturn the field.
“I want the Golden Spirit Pill.”
Jegal Ihyeon spoke first.
“Does anyone here covet the Golden Spirit Pill? Speak up, and we’ll negotiate. I’ve no intent to claim it at all costs. I’m open to yielding if terms align.”
No one stepped forward. Jegal Ihyeon’s smile deepened. He glanced at Paeng Yeonhwa, Namgoong Jiu, and Dang Seona.
“...I want the White Fang.”
“I want the Zhongnan Sect’s White Mist Cloud-Drifting Sword.”
Paeng Yeonhwa and Namgoong Jiu followed suit. No one else cared for their prizes.
“Sunyeon White Jade Pill.”
Dang Seona spoke up. Her gaze was fixed on Dang Heeran, whose brow twitched.
“...You want the same as me.”
“Will you yield?”
“You first, Sister. No thought of yielding to me?”
“If you want it that badly, I could yield.”
Dang Heeran smirked and shook her head.
“Don’t care to.”
“What then. Shall I take what you have now?”
“Need it come to that? I don’t want to fight you anymore, Sister.”
“Same here. Don’t want to hurt my dear sister further.”
Whichever sister claimed it, the Sunyeon White Jade Pill would end up with the Tang Clan.
“Then at tomorrow’s auction.”
“Fine.”
Dang Seona agreed with a bright smile. She had no desire to clash with Dang Heeran here.
“Wudang’s Tenfold Gold.”
“Mount Hua’s Endless Lotus Sword.”
Tae Heemyung and Woo Hayeon named their desires next. Sect legacies they naturally had to reclaim. One by one, the rest revealed theirs. Apart from the Tang sisters’ Sunyeon White Jade Pill, no overlaps yet.
“Millennial Snow Ginseng.”
“Planning to take everything?”
Haji Eun shot Wi Seongcheon a sharp look. She looked as if she’d never dreamed he’d target the Millennial Snow Ginseng.
“One root is fine. There are three—surely you can spare one?”
“Young hero doesn’t even cultivate frost arts. Why need the Millennial Snow Ginseng?”
“I need the Supreme Blood Leopard as well.”
Expressions shifted at his reply—Haji Eun’s and the others’. Supreme Blood Leopard and Millennial Snow Ginseng. Desiring both extreme yang and extreme yin elixirs meant one thing. Jegal Ihyeon masked his shock and clapped.
“Haha! Looks like the Dormant Dragon’s inherited the White Flame Witch’s mantle. Congratulations.”
“Just receiving a bit of guidance.”
It was known that Wi Seongcheon and Baekri Hyang resided in the Blood Palace. But that he’d inherited the White Flame Witch’s arts? Not widely known. Yet needing both treasures... meant he’d inherited her Ghost Soul White Escape Technique.
“...Then I’ll yield one root to you, young hero.”
“My thanks.”
No one else sought the Supreme Blood Leopard. With Haji Eun’s accord, he’d secure one Millennial Snow Ginseng root at minimum bid too.
Twin stones remained.
“We know each other’s top picks now. The rest?”
“No need to reveal those. Let the auction handle it.”
Jegal Ihyeon smiled. Top priorities secured. His group, being many, naturally held fewer stones per person. Hence this gathering.
“Crimson Turban Ghost. What do you seek?”
Only the Crimson Turban Ghost hadn’t spoken. The silent figure slowly raised a hand. Unraveled bandages scrawled words on the dirt.
Nothing.
“...In earnest?”
I hold no twin stones.
Stunned expressions all around at the Crimson Turban Ghost’s reply. Wi Seongcheon sent him a sly transmission.
[Need some? I could lend a pair.]
No need.
Though transmitted silently, the Crimson Turban Ghost replied by writing on the ground. Then he abruptly turned and left the clearing.
“...What the hell did that bastard come to the forest for?”
Yang Jeon muttered in utter bafflement. He wasn’t alone—everyone thought the same.