Chapter 23: Escape (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: Escape (4)
“How on earth did you know that?”
After a brief moment of shock, Bizarre Hae Ak-cheon asked with a brightened face.
“I interrogated that man.”
“I thought you were hesitating because you couldn't bring yourself to kill him.”
“I interrogated him via secret sound transmission, just in case there were reinforcements nearby.”
To be precise, it wasn't the dead swordsman who told me, but the sword that was still cursing me.
It resented me, but I had no choice. I had many people to save.
“I told him we had a force of hundreds, and if he wanted to save his comrades, he should talk. He spilled everything quite easily.”
—You’re practically a master of lies.
Well, what was I supposed to say? That a sword told me?
“You handled that wisely, Young Master.”
Bloody Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung praised me. He had been acting quite favorably toward me ever since I caught the spy.
“Heh heh! You certainly have a quick wit. So, what did you find out?”
I relayed all the information I had gathered from the sword.
The dead second-rate swordsman was a warrior from the Haeyeon Sect, and being a low-ranking member, he didn't know much. However, I learned that seven sects were moving at someone's request, and small groups of scouts like them were lying in ambush all around the area.
“That’s one thing, but the biggest problem is that the Sect Leader of the Haeyeon Sect is reportedly searching the path ahead with over a hundred experts.”
“This is bad...”
Everyone’s expression darkened. We were so close to escaping this area, but now the path was blocked. We couldn't exactly turn back, either.
“Hmph! Since it’s come to this, we have no choice but to force our way through.”
Hae Ak-cheon burned with battle spirit. Although we had low-rank warriors and mid-to-high-level candidates, our total strength—including the warriors from Six Blood Valley—amounted to about 130 people. A breakthrough was certainly possible.
However, sacrifices were inevitable, and if the situation escalated, there was a high probability that other enemies would swarm the area.
“Elder, that seems too dangerous. The Young Lady’s trail could be exposed.”
Gu Sang-ung opposed the idea, seemingly sharing my concerns.
“Then what do you suggest? Should we go back the way we came?”
“Excuse me, Elder. Unit Leader. How about this?”
At that moment, a Great Leader named Yang Gang-il cautiously spoke up. Seeing that he had an idea, Gu Sang-ung asked, “Great Leader Yang, do you have a good plan?”
“How about heading down the path through the cliff valley next to us?”
Hae Ak-cheon asked, sounding puzzled. “Was there another mountain path nearby?”
“Absolutely not.”
Bloody Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung suddenly opposed the idea with a stiff expression.
“Why not?”
“That place is flanked by steep cliffs and a precipice. It’s dangerous because you can only move forward or backward.”
A place where only advance and retreat were possible. If Gu Sang-ung was right, it was an unsuitable route for an escape. Especially when leading such a large group, even a retreat would be difficult.
“If the worst comes to the worst, couldn't we just jump into the valley and let the water carry us?”
“It’s too high for that. No matter how high one’s martial arts are, it’s dangerous. Furthermore, the valley has rapid currents; if you get swept away, your life cannot be guaranteed.”
“Ahem.”
Even martial arts are ultimately just human strength. Before the might of Mother Nature, even martial artists were helpless. Since Gu Sang-ung opposed it so strongly, Hae Ak-cheon didn't offer any further opinions. No one knew the paths of Six Blood Valley better than Gu Sang-ung.
However, Great Leader Yang Gang-il seemed to have a different opinion.
“But because it is such a dangerous path, wouldn't we be able to catch the enemy off guard?”
“What?”
“The enemy might also think that we would never take that path...”
“Great Leader Yang! Are you suggesting we gamble when the Young Lady’s safety and many lives are at stake?!”
Instead of a discussion, he received a harsh scolding from Gu Sang-ung. I also thought Yang Gang-il’s method was dangerous. Doesn't military strategy dictate avoiding paths with only one way out?
However, our options were limited. We had already come too far down to turn back. In the end, we had to choose between a frontal breakthrough or taking the somewhat risky valley path.
“Hmm.”
It was while I was lost in thought for a moment. I heard the sound of something moving near my ear.
Swish!
At the same time, Hae Ak-cheon moved so fast his body became a blur.
Screeeech!
Everyone, including myself, looked toward the sound. Hae Ak-cheon was twisting the neck of a man who was holding a small horn to his lips. There had been a survivor.
Because of someone's mistake, the situation had become urgent. Although Hae Ak-cheon had dealt with him quickly, the horn had sounded, however briefly.
“Damn it!”
Now that the horn had sounded, we had no choice. The enemies on the escape route would come swarming here.
“Elder?”
“Let’s go toward the valley. Blast it.”
Spitting out the words irritably, Hae Ak-cheon signaled for us to follow. He then used his lightness skill to head toward where the procession had stopped.
“Sigh.”
Bloody Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung let out a deep sigh and followed him. The Great Leaders and I followed suit.
After joining the procession, we turned around and headed down the mountain path under the command of Gu Sang-ung and Great Leader Yang Gang-il.
After descending for a short while, the precipice of the valley truly revealed itself. Seeing it, I understood why Gu Sang-ung had said this path was dangerous.
—Wow, it’s a long way down.
It was a literal precipice. Below, the rapids looked like tiny earthworms, but even from here, the current looked fierce. It was no exaggeration to say that falling meant certain death.
But then, a problem arose.
—..........
Countless ringing sounds echoed in my head. Those sounds were approaching this location at a rapid pace. They were the voices of swords. The number was incomparable to before.
—There are many enemies.
—What are you going to do, Un-hwi?
I looked at Hae Ak-cheon. There was no way he wouldn't notice what I had realized. As expected, Hae Ak-cheon’s expression had turned grave.
After a moment of deliberation, Hae Ak-cheon spoke to Baek Ryeonha and the rest of us.
“Young Lady. It seems we must split up here.”
“What do you mean by that, Uncle Hae?”
“A large number of enemies are pursuing us. I believe I must take half of our strength and block them.”
Seeing him speak like this, there must have been a powerful master among the enemies. It was likely the Sect Leader of the Haeyeon Sect. Recognizing from Hae Ak-cheon’s serious voice that the situation was dire, she nodded without a word.
“Please, you must stay alive.”
“Do not worry. I will deal with them and follow shortly.”
“Master!”
Song Jwa-baek called out to him in a worried voice. To this, Hae Ak-cheon spoke as if giving a final instruction.
“Protect the Young Lady no matter what. And do not forget the rendezvous point.”
The rendezvous point. It was a place Hae Ak-cheon had told us about in advance, just in case. It was a base that Escort Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong had scouted out. He had instructed us to go there if we were scattered during a chaotic battle.
“...Understood.”
When Song Jwa-baek replied, Hae Ak-cheon sent me a secret sound transmission.
[Since you are the smartest among them, I trust you will act wisely and assist Unit Leader Jang.]
Perhaps because of the few times I had been helpful, he seemed to trust me. Human relationships are truly unpredictable. Who would have thought I would build this kind of master-disciple trust with this crazy old man?
“I wish you luck in battle.”
I said with strength in my voice, performing a fist-and-palm salute. I was praying for his safety.
“Hmph! Worry about your own skin.”
Hae Ak-cheon snorted and gave a small smile with his eyes, then immediately led half the force toward where the enemies were swarming.
With half the force gone, our strength was significantly weakened. Now, the strongest people on our side were Escort Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong, Baek Ryeonha, and myself. There was also Great Leader Yang Gang-il, the twin brothers, and the advanced warriors, but with Hae Ak-cheon—our strongest asset—gone, our power felt decidedly unstable.
“Let’s do this.”
[There are enemies ahead.]
[Enemies? I don’t sense anything, though.]
Of course he wouldn't. As a Great Leader, his martial prowess was at the tail end of a first-rate master. Since I could hear the voices of swords, I could hear sounds from a distance almost equal to Hae Ak-cheon’s range; there was no way he could sense a presence at that distance.
[I am certain. We must call Unit Leader Jang to the front.]
Protecting Baek Ryeonha was important, but if there were enemies ahead, it was more stable to have the strongest among us leading the way.
However, Yang Gang-il shook his head.
[Unit Leader Jang must protect the Young Lady. I don’t know if your words are true, Young Master, but if they are, we must be the ones to break through them at the front.]
[.......]
Hmm. I didn't expect him to refuse like this. Even if Baek Ryeonha was the priority, it would be better to have the strongest master at the front to break through if we encountered enemies on this narrow valley path.
[Then at least be prepared.]
[You are very cautious. Your words make sense, Young Master.]
Yang Gang-il nodded as if he had no choice.
[I have no weapon, so please draw your sword, Young Master, and give a signal to the procession.]
Since Yang Gang-il was a fist expert, he had no weapon. I turned around, drew the Namcheon Iron Sword, and held it up so everyone in the rear could see. When I raised the sword, the warriors who understood the signal drew their own weapons.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
It was better to be prepared in advance.
—Un-hwi.
At that moment, the Namcheon Iron Sword called out to me.
‘What is it?’
I wondered if it had discovered something while I held it up. The Namcheon Iron Sword then told me what it had seen.
‘What?’
I frowned at the unexpected news. Yang Gang-il said to me, [Hurry, Young Master. It could be dangerous if we delay any further.]
[Understood.]
At my reply, Yang Gang-il moved to the front again. At that moment, I opened my middle Dantian and moved forward while suppressing my presence as much as possible.
However, I must have been too close, as he seemed to have heard me. Yang Gang-il tried to turn his head back. In that instant, I lunged like lightning and stabbed him in the back with the Namcheon Iron Sword.
Thuck!
“Urgh!”
I quickly aimed the sword at his throat and spoke.
[Keep quiet if you don’t want to die. Who are you?]
“What on earth is this...”
[Speak via sound transmission.]
I then pushed the sword slightly into his neck.
Prick!
If it went an inch deeper, his throat would be pierced, and he would die. Yang Gang-il looked at me with bewildered eyes. The advanced warriors following behind me were equally shocked.
[Young Master, what on earth are you doing?]
One of the advanced warriors sent me a sound transmission. I replied to him.
[Is there something like white powder on the scabbard on my back?]
At those words, the advanced warrior frowned, then sent a startled transmission.
[There is.]
It was just as the Namcheon Iron Sword had said. Because I had held it up high, it had seen what Yang Gang-il did from behind and told me.
I carefully felt the scabbard on my back with one hand. Then, I brought it to my nose. As expected, it was Thousand Li Autumn Scent.
—Is he in league with that guy?
‘I don’t know.’
—Why?
Not all Thousand Li Autumn Scent was the same. The scent of this powder Yang Gang-il had put on my scabbard was subtly different from Go Eun-jae’s. Of course, even if they were in the same group, they could use different batches of the scent.
I pushed the tip of the sword slightly and sent a sound transmission to Yang Gang-il.
[Why did you put Thousand Li Autumn Scent on me?]
Yang Gang-il’s eyes widened. Since I didn't have eyes in the back of my head, he seemed bewildered that I had correctly guessed he had secretly sprinkled the powder.
But I was extremely annoyed.
[Speak!]
Yang Gang-il hesitated before answering.
[That was so the Bloody Unit Leader and the Venerable One could follow us...]
Thrust!
[Gah!]
[Don’t talk nonsense. If that were the case, why would you hide it from me?]
He was spouting ridiculous excuses. Come to think of it, this guy was the one who kept insisting we take this valley path.
Ha! Now I think I understand.
[...That one man who didn't die earlier. That was your doing, wasn't it?]
‘!!!’
At those words, Yang Gang-il’s eyes darted around before he tried to shout urgently.
“Over here—”
Stab!
“Kugh!”
I drove the sword into his throat. Having his throat pierced, he made a choking sound before collapsing to the ground. I hadn't uncovered his true identity, but if his intention was to reveal our location, I couldn't leave him alive.
‘...This isn't easy.’
Escaping was truly one obstacle after another. I signaled to the rear of the procession that we had to turn back.
A trap was waiting ahead.
[Hurry, Young Master. It could be dangerous if we delay any further.]
[Understood.]
At my reply, Yang Gang-il moved to the front again. At that moment, I opened my middle Dantian and moved forward while suppressing my presence as much as possible.
However, I must have been too close, as he seemed to have heard me. Yang Gang-il tried to turn his head back. In that instant, I lunged like lightning and stabbed him in the back with the Namcheon Iron Sword.
Thuck!
“Urgh!”
I quickly aimed the sword at his throat and spoke.
[Keep quiet if you don’t want to die. Who are you?]
“What on earth is this...”
[Speak via sound transmission.]
I then pushed the sword slightly into his neck.
Prick!
If it went an inch deeper, his throat would be pierced, and he would die. Yang Gang-il looked at me with bewildered eyes. The advanced warriors following behind me were equally shocked.
[Young Master, what on earth are you doing?]
One of the advanced warriors sent me a sound transmission. I replied to him.
[Is there something like white powder on the scabbard on my back?]
At those words, the advanced warrior frowned, then sent a startled transmission.
[There is.]
It was just as the Namcheon Iron Sword had said. Because I had held it up high, it had seen what Yang Gang-il did from behind and told me.
I carefully felt the scabbard on my back with one hand. Then, I brought it to my nose. As expected, it was Thousand Li Autumn Scent.
—Is he in league with that guy?
‘I don’t know.’
—Why?
Not all Thousand Li Autumn Scent was the same. The scent of this powder Yang Gang-il had put on my scabbard was subtly different from Go Eun-jae’s. Of course, even if they were in the same group, they could use different batches of the scent.
I pushed the tip of the sword slightly and sent a sound transmission to Yang Gang-il.
[Why did you put Thousand Li Autumn Scent on me?]
Yang Gang-il’s eyes widened. Since I didn't have eyes in the back of my head, he seemed bewildered that I had correctly guessed he had secretly sprinkled the powder.
But I was extremely annoyed.
[Speak!]
Yang Gang-il hesitated before answering.
[That was so the Bloody Unit Leader and the Venerable One could follow us...]
Thrust!
[Gah!]
[Don’t talk nonsense. If that were the case, why would you hide it from me?]
He was spouting ridiculous excuses. Come to think of it, this guy was the one who kept insisting we take this valley path.
Ha! Now I think I understand.
[...That one man who didn't die earlier. That was your doing, wasn't it?]
‘!!!’
At those words, Yang Gang-il’s eyes darted around before he tried to shout urgently.
“Over here—”
Stab!
“Kugh!”
I drove the sword into his throat. Having his throat pierced, he made a choking sound before collapsing to the ground. I hadn't uncovered his true identity, but if his intention was to reveal our location, I couldn't leave him alive.
‘...This isn't easy.’
Escaping was truly one obstacle after another. I signaled to the rear of the procession that we had to turn back.
A trap was waiting ahead.
Unintentionally, I had ended up in a situation where I had to lead everyone.