Chapter 52: To Peerless Fortress (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 52: To Peerless Fortress (1)
Chwaaaa!
We cut through the current with such force that it felt like my skin was being peeled back.
I expected him to be fast, but I hadn't realized Jaso, the Human-Faced Snake, was such an incredible swimmer.
‘He’s holding on well.’
My maternal grandfather, Ha Seong-un, was riding near Jaso’s head along with Sama Yeong. She had tied herself down with rope and was bracing the grandfather firmly to ensure he wouldn't fall off.
I was positioned right behind them, carrying the one-armed man, Gang Bu. I supported him while using my internal energy to protect his heart meridian, allowing him to endure even without breathing for a short while.
—Puhahahaha! Look at the people hanging on behind you.
At the hysterical laughter of the Lesser Conversation Sword, I turned my head.
For a second, I almost opened my mouth and swallowed a lungful of water.
“Gurgle-gurgle!”
“Gack-gack!”
Miyeom and the other men looked like they were at death's door.
They had been so repulsed by the idea of touching Jaso’s body that they’d practically had fits, but now they were clinging to him for dear life, their faces contorted with desperation.
A small laugh escaped me at the sight of their twisted expressions, but I understood. It was that same will to live that had allowed them to survive in the caves of Bongnim Valley.
‘Please.’
I prayed fervently, matching their desperation. I hoped Jaso would lead us safely out of Bongnim Valley. If this took much longer, no one would be able to hold out.
‘Unlike you, we can’t breathe underwater.’
I hoped the creature understood that.
It was while I was swimming through the dark water with an anxious heart that it happened.
—Un-hwi. Look up there.
‘Ah!’
At the Namcheon Iron Sword’s words, I looked up. A small light was visible. After being in the dark for so long, that light piercing through the water was enough to make my heart race.
Jaso surged upward with speed.
Splash!
“Haa!”
Jaso’s body breached the surface, and the fresh air stung my lungs. I winced at the bright sunlight, the first I’d seen in a long time.
‘It’s so bright.’
Perhaps thanks to my Innate True Qi, my vision cleared quickly. I saw vine-like plants tangled together and lush green shrubbery all around.
‘We’re outside!’
The scenery was so starkly different from the dark, damp cave that the reality of our escape was just starting to sink in when—
Rumble!
Before I could even savor the moment, Jaso began to thrash violently. Everyone clinging to his body was sent flying.
“Whoa!”
“Ugh!”
Thud!
Those who were tossed landed rolling on the muddy ground. Since Sama Yeong and I had mastered internal energy and were responsible for others, we managed to land stably despite being thrown.
“Jaso!”
I wondered what was wrong, but after shaking us off, he immediately dove back into the water. It was only for a fleeting moment, but I saw his slick scales turning a deep red, as if they had been burned.
‘Can he not handle sunlight?’
Now that I thought about it, the Human-Faced Snake was said to loathe extremely bright light. I hadn't realized it would cause him physical distress to that extent.
I untied the rope, set the one-armed man Gang Bu down, and dipped my head into the vine-covered pond. I saw his long body trembling in the shadows where the light didn't reach.
‘Sunlight really is his natural enemy.’
His scales had turned crimson. My eyes hadn't deceived me.
‘He pushed himself just to get us out.’
I reached my hand into the water. He brought his head over and rubbed it against my palm. I could feel him shivering; he seemed to be in a lot of pain.
‘Thank you.’
As I stroked his body, he let out his characteristic sound.
Purrr!
He looked terrifying enough to paralyze people with fear, yet he acted just like a puppy. After nuzzling me a few more times, he dove deeper into the water. His purple eyes rolled around as if he were reluctant to leave, but even indirect sunlight seemed difficult for him to bear.
‘Go deeper. Go and rest. I’ll come back later.’
When I waved at Jaso, he let out a brighter cry as if he had read my mind and drifted further away. I was truly grateful to him. In some ways, he had more loyalty than most humans.
When I pulled my head out of the water, I saw the men rolling around on the damp earth, overcome with emotion.
“Aaaaah!”
“I thought I’d never get out of there...!”
“We’re out! We’re finally out!”
I hadn't expected them to be this happy. They couldn't even open their eyes properly in the bright light, yet they couldn't contain their joy. If they were this moved, how must my maternal grandfather feel after being trapped for over twenty years?
“Grandfather?”
While the others were squinting, my grandfather couldn't open his eyes at all. He was grimacing, looking like he was in considerable pain. Sama Yeong, who was by his side, spoke to me.
“I think the sunlight is hurting his eyes because it’s been so long.”
Grandfather waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m fine. I’ll adjust soon enough, so don’t worry.”
Despite his words, tears were streaming down his face. Sama Yeong tore a piece of her clothing and wrapped it around his head to cover his eyes.
“It’s better to keep them covered like this until you feel okay.”
The wet cloth seemed to cool his eyes, as he looked much more comfortable.
“...Ahem. Thank you.”
At his words, Sama Yeong beamed at me. She seemed happy to have gained even a little bit of recognition.
“To think such a moment would come...”
Even with his eyes covered, Grandfather kept repeating those words, clearly moved.
‘Grandfather...’
Thinking about how he had lost his entire family and suffered all those years in Bongnim Valley, I realized his life had been just as tumultuous as mine.
“Uuuugh.”
Suddenly, a groan of pain reached my ears. The source was Gang Bu, the one-armed man lying on the ground. He was moaning in agony.
“Gang Bu?”
I called out to see if he had woken up, but he only continued to groan. I thought it might be because he was wet, but on closer inspection, he was drenched in a cold sweat. I placed a hand on his body.
‘He’s burning up.’
He had a severe fever. Fearing the worst, I pulled up his shirt to check his abdomen and waist.
‘Oh no!’
—It looks serious.
The wound was tinged purple and heavily swollen. It seemed that even the brief exposure to water during our escape had aggravated it. If left like this, he wouldn't last long.
“Sama Yeong! Do you know where we are?”
Since she had been outside Bongnim Valley, she would know the geography. At my question, she looked around and replied.
“I think we’re in the forest northeast of Bongnim Valley.”
“Is there a village nearby?”
“Yes! The village where I got the rope. We just need to head northwest for a bit.”
We had to move fast.
*
Just as Sama Yeong said, after traveling northwest for over an hour, a fairly large village came into view. From the ridge of the hill, we could see the entire village clearly.
We hurried down to enter, but the men hesitated. When I asked why, they pointed.
“That village is under the influence of Peerless Fortress.”
“Peerless Fortress?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, Miyeom pointed to a flag flying from a building in the center of the village. It was a black flag emblazoned with a design of a crossed sword and saber.
‘Ah!’
I recognized that symbol. It was the mark of Peerless Fortress. I knew Peerless Fortress was located in northern Shaanxi Province, but I hadn't realized their influence extended to the neighboring villages.
‘I see.’
I understood why they were reluctant to enter. They had been imprisoned in Bongnim Valley after clashing with Peerless Fortress; who would want to walk right into their territory?
“Moon Elder. We will wait outside the village.”
At their words, Grandfather shook his head.
“It is fine. You have finally regained your freedom; there is no need to follow this old man around. Go your own ways.”
“Moon Elder...”
Moved by his consideration, they insisted they wanted to keep following him, but Grandfather sent them off. In response, they each handed over their belongings, promising to help whenever he might call upon them, before departing.
The only one who remained was Miyeom, who said he had served Grandfather for a long time alongside the one-armed man, Gang Bu.
As we headed toward the village, I asked worriedly, “Grandfather, will you be alright?”
Just like the others, Grandfather also had a bad history with Peerless Fortress. He shook his head and replied.
“It has been over twenty years, and they believe me dead. Who would recognize this old man? Besides, that man’s life is on the line right now.”
As Grandfather said, Gang Bu’s condition was dire. He looked like he could stop breathing at any moment, so we didn't have the luxury of looking for another village.
“Then how about we deal with the clothes first?” Sama Yeong suggested.
“Ah...”
She had a point. Our clothes were filthy from living in the cave. Moreover, Grandfather, Miyeom, and Gang Bu were practically wearing rags, looking no different from beggars. It was a look that would easily draw unwanted attention.
“Please get us something suitable.”
“Hehe. Leave it to me.”
*
“Uh... well.”
Miyeom started to say something when he saw the clothes Sama Yeong had brought back, but then he shut his mouth.
The outfits for me and Grandfather were made of high-quality fabric and were quite stylish martial robes, but the clothes for Miyeom and Gang Bu were plain and made of cheap material.
—She’s being blatantly discriminatory.
‘......’
I had nothing to say to that. Regardless, once we were dressed in the clothes she provided, we headed straight into the village.
On the way, I noticed there were more martial artists than I expected. Every street corner was filled with people carrying swords and sabers.
“It’s strange, isn't it?”
I nodded at Sama Yeong’s question. Just based on my Qi sense, there were dozens of them. It was suspicious, but taking Gang Bu to a doctor was the priority.
“Is this Bokan County?” Grandfather, who was being carried on my back, asked.
“How did you know?”
Grandfather had entered the village with his eyes covered, yet he knew its name.
“Even if it’s been twenty years, I spent a long time living in Peerless Fortress.”
“You have a good memory.”
“Oh, you. Anyway, if this is Bokan County, let’s head to the southeast side of the village. There’s a skilled physician there.”
“Will he still be there?”
“It’s a clinic that’s been passed down for three generations, so it should still be there.”
Following Grandfather’s directions, we went to the southeast. After passing through an alley and entering a wide street, we saw a building with a sign that read 'Clinic.'
However, a young man dressed as a scholar was arguing with someone in front of the clinic.
‘What’s going on?’
“Does it make any sense to charter this entire clinic?”
What kind of nonsense was this? Looking closer, two men in gray robes were blocking the entrance. The scholar seemed to be arguing with them.
“Get lost right now if you don't want to get hurt.”
Shring!
One of the men drew a willow leaf saber from his waist and threatened the young man. The scholar laughed as if he found it absurd and then reached out toward them.
“You brat!”
The men in gray robes launched a combined attack at the scholar. With swift footwork, the scholar dodged their sabers and snapped one man’s wrist.
—This will be over soon.
I thought so too. The scholar’s martial prowess was strong enough to handle both of them at once. As expected, after breaking the wrist, the scholar’s kick landed squarely on the other man’s jaw.
“Gack!”
The man who was hit in the jaw flew backward, smashing through the clinic door. The scholar, looking satisfied, dusted off his hands and prepared to enter.
At that moment, the scholar, who had one foot inside, was sent flying backward. Steam rose from his body as he crossed his wrists in a defensive posture.
The scholar frowned and spoke.
“Silver White Fox!”
‘Silver White Fox?’
—How do you know her?
The woman known as Silver White Fox, Yeo Seong-eun, was a Black Path expert who was quite infamous in the martial world of Shanxi Province. Since she usually operated further north, I’d never had the chance to see her in person, but I’d heard she was a formidable woman who had mastered martial arts involving cold energy.
A white-haired woman wearing a palace dress trimmed with gray fox fur stepped out of the clinic. Her sharp eyes suggested she had a fierce personality, but she looked to be only in her early thirties.
“Is that really the Silver White Fox?” Grandfather asked me.
“It seems so.”
“This is troublesome. I don't know why she’s here, but she was an infamous expert even twenty years ago. If she’s still active, her skills must be extraordinary. Her methods are quite cruel for someone as young as you to face.”
At Grandfather’s words, I stared intently at the Silver White Fox, Yeo Seong-eun. The aura she radiated certainly confirmed she was no ordinary expert.
Yeo Seong-eun stepped forward with an arrogant expression and spoke to the scholar.
“You laid hands on my subordinates, so I hope you’re prepared, brat.”
White steam began to drift from her right hand.
“I-I didn't know you were here, Senior.”
“Too late.”
She raised her hand and unleashed a lethal strike toward the scholar. The young man bit his lip and drew a chain sword from his waist to counter her attack.
‘Phew.’
In the meantime, I quietly shifted my steps. I headed straight for the clinic entrance.
“Young Master So! Did you forget what the Moon Elder just said?”
“We don't have time to find another doctor.”
“What?”
“Let’s go.”
I walked toward the clinic as if nothing were wrong. Sama Yeong followed behind me with a smirk.
“Child! Didn't I say it was too much?”
Grandfather, on my back, tried to stop me in a panic, but I was already at the entrance. The Silver White Fox, who had been pressing the scholar, let out a roar and lunged at me.
“It seems the brats are all eager to die today!”
Her hand, filled with freezing cold energy, aimed menacingly at my head. While still carrying Grandfather, I lightly leaned back and dodged her palm strike.
“You dodged it?”
Seeing me evade her strike so easily, she seemed to realize I was no ordinary person and prepared to use a finishing move. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to drag this out.
I closed my left eye, opened my Middle Dantian, and surged my Innate True Qi.
“How dare you close an eye in front of me!”
True to her Black Path nature, she lunged toward my closed eye. But then, something amazing happened.
‘Huh?’
Through my closed eye, I could see her energy moving as a white light, and her circulation paths became faintly visible. I had closed my eye to prevent the Golden Eye from being seen when I opened my Middle Dantian, but I hadn't realized I would be able to see energy even with my eye closed at such a close range.
‘Ha! So it’s like this.’
Since I could see the paths, I could tell exactly how she was going to attack.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Standing perfectly still, I dodged her martial forms just by moving my upper body.
“H-How?”
When she couldn't even land a hit on Grandfather, bewilderment filled her eyes.
“You have an opening.”
“What?”
I slipped through a gap in her freezing technique and drove my fist into her abdomen like a bolt of lightning.
Thwack!
“Aaaagh!”
The Silver White Fox, Yeo Seong-eun, was sent flying back more than ten paces by the punch. Hearing her scream, Grandfather spoke in a voice full of disbelief.
“W-What just happened?”
“The Silver White Fox flew away and passed out.”
“!?”