Chapter 24: The Trap (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 24: The Trap (1)
Everyone looked at me in confusion when I signaled for them to turn around and retreat.
I sent a Sound Transmission to the Advanced Warriors at the front, informing them of an ambush ahead. As the message was passed down the line, the group began to turn back one by one.
Two people pushed past the retreating warriors and approached me: Baek Ryeonha and Escort Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong.
“Young Master.”
She whispered as if to say something, so I signaled for her to lower her voice and sent a Sound Transmission instead.
[There is an ambush ahead.]
I sent the same message to Jang Mun-woong. He tilted his head, peering into the distance.
—He doesn't seem to notice.
Jang Mun-woong was an excellent warrior at the Unit Leader level, but unless one reached a realm like Haeakcheon’s, their Qi Sense was bound to be relatively inferior. Of course, I would have been in the same boat if I couldn't hear the voices of the swords.
[An ambush? How could the enemy have known to—ah!]
Baek Ryeonha’s brow furrowed as she spotted something. It was the body of the deceased Great Leader, Yang Gang-il.
Following her gaze, Jang Mun-woong discovered the body and looked at me demandingly, as if asking for an explanation.
[He was a spy.]
I sent the transmission to both of them in turn. Their reactions were different.
[A spy? How did you know that?]
[...Great Leader Yang was a spy?]
While Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong was questioning how I knew, Baek Ryeonha’s tone suggested she found it hard to believe he could be a traitor. I explained what had happened.
[That man smeared Thousand Li Autumn Scent on my scabbard.]
I hadn't wiped it off yet, specifically to show them. Seeing the substance on the back of the scabbard, she leaned in to catch the scent.
[The fragrance is slightly different.]
She recognized it immediately. I could distinguish it because I was trained as a spy, but perhaps she was naturally sensitive to scents because she was a woman.
[He put this on you?] she asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.
I hadn't expected him to do something so bold right behind my back either.
“This is frustrating. Even if the enemy is lying in wait, if they’re far enough away that I can’t sense them, they won’t be able to hear us whispering.”
Jang Mun-woong spoke in a low voice, seemingly tired of the silent Sound Transmission exchange. He had a point. I had only used Sound Transmission to be extra cautious.
“Did you see it?”
“You concluded Great Leader Yang was a spy because of the Thousand Li Autumn Scent on your scabbard.”
“There was no room for doubt.”
Now that I had shown them, the scabbard had served its purpose. I tossed it over the cliff.
—Ah...
The Namcheon Iron Sword sounded regretful as the scabbard he had shared for so long fell away. It couldn't be helped. Carrying that would only expose our location. If they wanted to follow the scent now, they’d have to dive into the rapid currents at the bottom of that deep abyss.
Meanwhile, Baek Ryeonha and Jang Mun-woong were exchanging glances. What was that about?
“We don't have time for this. We must retreat immediately.”
I couldn't gauge the strength of the ambushing force just by listening to the swords. Rather than confronting the enemy on a narrow cliff path, it was better to help Haeakcheon deal with the pursuers and then regroup.
Then, Baek Ryeonha sent me a Sound Transmission.
[Young Master. Great Leader Yang wasn't a spy... no, wait... he was a spy.]
[Pardon?]
What was she talking about? He wasn't a spy, but he was?
[I put that poorly. He belonged to my sister...]
'Sister?'
—...
'!!!'
Before her transmission could even finish, I hurriedly looked back.
[What is it?]
The voices of the swords were growing louder.
—They are coming this way, Un-hwi.
The Namcheon Iron Sword gave a heavy warning. I thought they would stay in ambush, but it seemed they were moving toward us. And they were moving incredibly fast.
“They’re coming!”
“Ah!”
As the enemies drew closer, Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong sensed them as well and shouted urgently.
“Everyone, retreat! Hurry!”
Rumble!
At his command, the quiet procession accelerated. Led by Song Jwa-baek and Song Woo-hyeon, who were now at the front of the retreat, the group began to run. If we were caught on this valley path, we would be in a truly perilous situation.
“My Lady, please move to the center.”
She nodded at Jang Mun-woong’s words. She was the "King" of this procession. The moment the King was captured, everything would be for naught.
“Advanced Warriors, fall back! Young Master, please join me in guarding the rear.”
“Understood.”
The strongest people here were myself and Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong. The situation was turning dire. Now, the twins, Jwa-baek and Woo-hyeon, had to lead the way while I had to protect the rear.
[Jo Seong-won!]
[My Lord?]
I called out to Jo Seong-won via Sound Transmission; he was among the mid-level candidates running ahead of the Advanced Warriors. I instructed him to protect the center just in case. Having mastered the Beggar’s Sect Leader’s martial art, the Descending Dragon Eighteen Palms, he was a top-tier expert even among First-Rate Masters, so he was reliable.
“Hurry!”
The retreat gained speed at Jang Mun-woong’s shout. However, at this pace, shaking off the pursuers was impossible. We needed to at least clear the valley path.
—It’s too late.
The Lesser Conversation Sword spoke to me in a bleak voice. I knew it too.
—...
The clamor of the swords had grown far too close. Glancing back, I saw a group of men in black masks using Lightness Skills to close in on us rapidly. There were about forty of them.
'Masks?'
Something was strange. Why were they wearing masks? Our side wore masks because we couldn't be revealed as Blood Cultists yet. But they had no reason to hide their faces. The scouts we had neutralized earlier had shown their faces openly.
“Ugh.”
A groan escaped Jang Mun-woong as he looked at them. Though they were fewer in number, each one of them seemed to be a formidable master. In particular, the two at the very front radiated an extraordinary pressure. One carried a massive, wicked-looking axe, and the other appeared to be a fist expert of immense stature. He was smaller than Haeakcheon, but far larger than an average man.
'What should I do?'
I would likely have to stay behind with the Advanced Warriors to block them. At this distance, we’d be caught in no time.
'Wait?'
“Unit Leader!”
Jang Mun-woong looked back at my call.
“Damn it! Advanced Warriors, stop and block the rear immediately!”
The masked men were preparing to throw weapons that looked like javelins. They must have judged that they were within range to inflict damage. The giant fist expert also gripped a javelin; even from a distance, his aura was incredibly threatening.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
The javelins thrown by the masked men streaked through the air. It was impossible for me to block them all alone. I had to stop at least two or three.
Flash!
I gripped my sword with both hands and focused on the incoming projectiles. The moment they reached me, I swung my blade with blinding speed, shearing through them.
Clang!
I hit my target. I sliced two javelins and narrowly deflected a third.
Clang-clang-clang!
Beside me, I heard the sounds of the Advanced Warriors blocking the javelins. Since the projectiles were infused with internal energy, not everyone managed to deflect them.
Thwack!
“Agh!”
“Gah!”
Two Advanced Warriors were hit. One was skewered through the abdomen, while the other was struck in the thigh; he survived but lost his mobility.
But that wasn't the real problem. The javelin thrown by the giant fist expert was on a different level from the others.
Swoooooosh!
The sound of it cutting through the air was different. I wasn't even sure if I could block it even if I opened my Middle Dantian.
“Everyone, get back!”
Jang Mun-woong stepped forward. He was the only one here capable of stopping it.
Swoooooooosh!
Jang Mun-woong blocked the path of the javelin flying toward the center with terrifying momentum. As it reached him, he reached out to snatch it. It looked like he might succeed.
But in that instant—
Thud!
“Urgh.”
He caught the javelin, but it pierced into his right shoulder. The force sent Jang Mun-woong’s body flying backward.
Crash!
“Aaaah!”
“Gah!”
The Advanced Warriors behind him tried to catch him, but they were knocked over and sent tumbling along with him. It was a technique of transmitting force through an object, and its power was absurd. With a single javelin, he had blown away a Peak Realm master and several First-Rate masters.
Because of this, the retreat came to a grinding halt.
“Huff... huff...”
Rip!
Jang Mun-woong pulled the javelin from his shoulder and used a Pressure Point Technique to stop the bleeding.
—He’s a monster.
I didn't need the sword to tell me that; I had seen it with my own eyes. This was the worst-case scenario. If he could display such martial prowess with just a javelin, that giant fist expert was at least a Peerless Master at the level of a Blood Star or a Venerable.
In the meantime, they reached us. I looked toward the edge of the cliff.
'...Should I bet my life?'
The only way to survive this situation was the valley cliff. It was so high that the chance of survival was extremely low, but it was at least a glimmer of hope. Or should I fight to the death? Since we had more people, we might be able to buy enough time for Baek Ryeonha to escape.
—Why don't you just run away by yourself? Why bother with these people?
Ah...
The Lesser Conversation Sword’s words made me realize something. I was thinking as if I were a loyal subject of the Blood Cult. If it came down to it, I should prioritize my own life.
Just then, the masked man carrying the wicked axe shouted at us.
“Is the girl named Baek Ryeonha among you?”
'Baek Ryeonha?'
Surprisingly, she was their target. Silence fell over the group as if cold water had been poured over them. The axe-wielding man continued.
“If Baek Ryeonha is not here, I will kill you all. If she is, hand her over. Then, I shall let you live.”
The eyes of the Advanced Warriors changed. Who wouldn't be enraged when the target was the successor to the Cult Leader? But this reaction became a double-edged sword.
“Ho. His prediction was correct. She is here.”
The man with the axe became certain of Baek Ryeonha’s presence. Looking at his attitude, it seemed they were targeting her but hadn't been sure she would show up here.
“If the girl is here, hand her over at once!” the giant fist expert beside him barked.
The sheer power in his voice proved he was a monstrous master. Even the Advanced Warriors were cowed by his overwhelming pressure. But no one was going to hand her over just because they were intimidated.
Grip!
The Advanced Warriors tightened their hold on their weapons.
'...'
Judging by their aura, they were prepared to risk their lives to protect her right here, even if it meant death. Escape was meaningless against such masters, but their loyalty was impressive. Perhaps this was why the Martial Alliance wanted to wipe them out root and branch.
I looked at Jang Mun-woong, who was clutching his wound. He, too, looked ready for a final stand.
'...'
After a moment of deliberation, I sent a Sound Transmission to Jang Mun-woong.
[Unit Leader.]
He looked at me with questioning eyes.
[...I will buy time. You take the Young Lady and escape.]
[Young Master!]
He stared at me with wide eyes and sent a transmission back.
—Hey, why are you doing that? the Lesser Conversation Sword scolded me.
'It's fine. If things get bad, I'll jump off the cliff.'
It was a lose-lose situation anyway. If I could just fulfill the task Haeakcheon gave me, I’d gamble my life on that slim chance. Wouldn't the odds be better than fighting these guys?
—Sigh.
Then, one of the masked men spoke.
“Master, we don't have time. He said we could kill them all if necessary, so let's just slaughter them as we please...”
Step!
I stepped forward. All eyes, friend and foe alike, converged on me. My allies looked bewildered, while the masked enemies looked as if they had finally caught their prey.
Salute!
I gave them a Fist-and-Palm Salute and spoke.
“Seniors, you do not seem to be people of the Martial Alliance. Why are you trying to oppress us?”
Murmurs broke out from behind me. Naturally, they all thought these men were from the Martial Alliance or the Orthodox Faction. But I thought differently.
The man with the axe spoke. “Hmph. What are you talking about? We are people of the Martial Alliance.”
He denied my claim.
“Then why did you say you would spare us if we handed over ‘Baek Ryeonha’?”
It made no sense. The Martial Alliance’s goal was the total annihilation of the Blood Cult. Their objective was to leave no survivors, yet they were only targeting a potential successor? That was a contradiction.
“This brat is talking nonsense!” the fist expert roared at me.
Fortunately, having always dealt with Haeakcheon, I was accustomed to such pressure.
“Alliance members are crawling all over these mountains. Do you not value your life?” the fist expert reminded me of the situation.
I continued, unfazed. “Then, if you are of the same Alliance, why did you say you were short on time?”
“...”
The masked man who had mentioned the time furrowed his brow. He probably hadn't expected me to pick up on such a detail. I could clearly feel the killing intent thickening in their eyes; the situation was becoming precarious. Provoking them was dangerous, but I had no choice if I wanted to stall for time and draw their attention to me.
“One of our people spread Thousand Li Autumn Scent. However, this scent seems subtly different from the one used by the armed forces searching the mountains.”
A strange light flickered in the eyes of the masked men. They seemed surprised that I could distinguish the nuances of the Thousand Li Autumn Scent. After eight years as a spy, it wasn't that difficult.
“To be certain we aren't the Alliance based on that alone... you are a truly foolish boy,” the man with the axe mocked.
“At first, I thought that man might be a spy for the search parties. But on second thought, it didn't seem right. Especially how he naturally guided us toward this valley path.”
If I hadn't run into these men, I would have remained mistaken. I would have thought Great Leader Yang Gang-il was working with the search parties. But thinking back, that wasn't it.
“That man was a spy sent by you seniors, wasn't he?”
“Hmph!”
The masked men didn't deny it. They likely felt there was no need to hide it anymore. After all, we were nothing more than rats caught in a trap.
One masked man shouted at me, “Now that you know there was a spy among you, you must realize we can find Baek Ryeonha whenever we want, right?”
He was trying to sow discord, attempting to make us doubt one another.
“I should be grateful, then.”
“What?”
“Thanks to you, I now know there are no more spies on our side. I thank you for your consideration, Senior.”
“?”
“If there were, you would have found her already. They would have informed you via Sound Transmission.”
The masked man’s eyes turned sharp. He must have realized that the more they talked to me, the more they were being drawn into my pace.
The man with the axe spoke with a voice dripping with killing intent. “This brat is trying to buy time with his silver tongue. I’ll kill you first.”
As soon as he finished speaking, one of the masked men moved to throw a javelin at me. At this distance, dodging would be difficult.
I shouted urgently. “Was it Baek Hye-hyang, or someone under her, who hired you?”
'!!!'
The masked man about to throw the javelin flinched. Of course he did. I was certain that the one pulling their strings was Baek Hye-hyang or someone related to her. Otherwise, it made no sense for a Great Leader of the Six Blood Valley to be a spy without his location being revealed to the Martial Alliance or the Orthodox Faction. Because from the start, the target was only one person: Baek Ryeonha.
“Lady Baek Hye-hyang?”
Stunned murmurs rose from behind me. They probably never imagined that the people blocking our path were sent by their own kind.
“Kill him!” the fist expert barked.
I hurriedly released my Middle Dantian and surged my Innate True Qi.
Whoosh! Grab!
I caught the incoming javelin. The fist expert’s eyes widened. It was only natural to be shocked when a brat he took for a mere First-Rate master caught a javelin at this range.
“I’m giving this back.”
Thud!
I threw the javelin back at the fist expert with ten stars of internal power. Then I shouted.
“Everyone, run!”
Since Baek Ryeonha had likely moved to safety, the only way to survive now was for everyone to save themselves.
The fist expert caught my javelin with ease. Then, seemingly intent on killing me, he hurled it back with all his might.
Whoosh!
'Damn it!'
Maybe I should have just minded my own business and saved my own skin.
At that very moment—
Snap! Vrrrrrrrrr!
The tip of the javelin stopped right in front of my nose. The blade vibrated so violently my heart nearly shriveled up. Why did it suddenly stop?
“Young Master. Thank you.”
'Huh?'
The voice coming from behind me was Baek Ryeonha’s. I told her to run, so why?
“You’re quite something for a brat.”
'This voice?'
I looked to my side with trembling eyes. A masked man was holding the javelin next to me. If he hadn't caught it so perfectly, I would have lost my life.
Rip!
The man tore off his mask as if it were a nuisance. To my shock, it was the Second Venerable Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma.
“How... how are you here, Elder?”
I thought he had gone to the northeast mountain path with the Divine Healer of Ten Thousand Ailments. Why was he here?
But that wasn't all.
“Thanks to the Young Master, we’ve confirmed there are no other spies among us.”
Another figure stepped up beside me. Though she wore a mask, I knew who she was the moment I saw her blood-stained hands and heard her voice. It was the Blood Hand Witch, Han Baek-ha. I thought she had taken the fake Baek Ryeonha, but she was here too.
'Ha!'
I was momentarily speechless. So they had been hiding among us, deceiving even their own allies this whole time?
With the appearance of Seo Gal-ma and Han Baek-ha, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The fighting spirit of the Advanced Warriors, who had been prepared to die, flared back to life.
“Damn it!”
“They tricked us!”
Seeing the two masters, the masked men quickly assessed the situation. No matter how strong their force was, they couldn't guarantee victory against a Blood Star and a Venerable.
The giant fist expert was the first to leap away, shouting.
Flash!
“Retreat!”
Judging that they were at a disadvantage, they tried to flee.
Right then—
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
A figure appeared at the top of the right cliff, performing the miraculous feat of running straight down the vertical wall at incredible speed, before landing to block the path of the fleeing masked men.
Boom!
A man of massive stature who made the masked men look like children. It was Haeakcheon. In one hand, he held the severed head of a middle-aged man with his tongue lolling out. Blood dripped from it, a sight enough to chill anyone to the bone.
I heard the fist expert at the front of the retreat mutter.
“...The Bizarre One.”
“Did you think a piece of trash like this could stall me?”
Rip!
Haeakcheon violently tore off his upper garment and tossed the head aside. His entire body turned a deep, metallic bronze. It was his signature martial art, the True Blood Golden Body.
“Hmph! From this moment on, if you wish to pass me, you must offer up your heads!”